How can Nicodemus, a teacher of the Old Testament law, not grasp those things the law teaches? The problem with mankind has always been with the heart (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 7:14; Isaiah 29:13), a problem which God alone can solve by giving men a new heart (Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 31:31-34). To be born again by the Spirit of God makes one a new man (1 Samuel 10:6-13), and it is the Spirit who enables men to see such truths. John bore witness to the coming Messiah. The Pharisees sent a delegation to inquire of John just who he was and what his message might be (John 1:19-25). They obviously did not accepts John’s testimony because they refused to be baptized by him (Luke 7:30). The Pharisees also assembled in large numbers, coming from all over the land of Israel to hear Jesus and to judge His message and ministry (Luke 5:17). They certainly did not submit to Jesus as their Messiah. Thus, the witness of both John and Jesus was rejected by the Pharisees. Jesus has been speaking of re-birth, a re-birth which comes from above. It is the work of God’s Spirit, who sovereignly brings about new life, and it is a work that comes “from above.” Does Nicodemus believe in a heavenly kingdom? He certainly should, as did the …show more content…
Nicodemus asks how a man can be reborn from above. Jesus tells him by analogy; now He tells him more directly. If anyone is to be saved from the penalty of their sins, they must “look up” to Him for salvation. He, like the bronze serpent of old, will be “lifted up” on a cross, and He will later be “lifted up” in His resurrection and ascension. In so doing, He will be “lifted up” in another way—He will be exalted by God for His sacrificial obedience at Calvary. All those who “look up” to Him in faith, trusting in Him to remove the judgment for their sin, like the Israelites of old, will be
John allows his reader to go to class with Jesus and Nicodemus, as they get an opportunity to hear as this encounter unfolds. We have one of the most profound teachable moment in biblical history. In this encounter Jesus get an opportunity to open the mind of the man call Nicodemus who was known to be a teacher of Israel.
Every individual has his/her own view of a divine power. It appears that each different culture looks at its’ higher being in a
By now the conversation has almost become a monologue, Nicodemus only interjecting to allow Jesus to launch into further thoughts, but from a slightly different direction!
Jesus’ bold pronouncement in the New Testament that that he has come to fulfill the law may disagree with the rabbinic understanding of the Old Testament, but a more careful analysis demonstrates his adherence to the law of God and the law’s evolution over time. The initial promise of the Lord to the Israelites came in the form of mortal, tangible rewards. Jesus reveals the existence of something better, the eternal salvation that comes with strict faithfulness to the law. While his opinions caused a stir with the traditionalists of the Old Testament, Jesus truly upholds the same sense of justice that is of paramount importance to everyone who experiences the word of God.
John lived throughout the greatest time in human history. He lived during the time of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God incarnate on Earth. His Gospel thoroughly documents the teaching of God, the miracles He performed, and the ultimate sacrifice that He gave. John thoroughly describes how the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. By a thorough analyzation of the Nicodemus story, one can clearly see the necessity of Baptism and the need for the Holy Spirit in the Christian faith. Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Bread of life. We are invited to literally eat Jesus as the Eucharist and drink His blood as wine. Jesus is the light of the world that gives light to the man born blind when he gives him sight. Those that witnessed His divine testimony would certainly ascertain that Jesus is God. The son of God, the one that fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament prophecies as revealed in the Gospel of John. With John’s teaching, one can clearly see Jesus’ true identity as the New Adam and Universal Savior.
In His First Advent, Jesus Christ was sent to earth by His Father to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and He will return again in His Second Advent to take us to be with Him in Heaven (John 14). When born again believers abide in Heaven, their spirit will be in control over their mind, will, and emotions. The separation between God and man will no longer exist; mankind’s Savior will always be present with them, and Satan will be chained no longer to harm mankind. Women will no longer have labor pains, and a hierarchy in marital status will no longer exist. A new earth will be created dissolving its cursed ground; mankind will no longer have to work hard for sustenance, and death will find no place in Heaven. But until that day comes, God has sent the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Strengthener, and Standby to aid His children in their trials (John
Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him and made fun of Him saying, "Go where more people can see your miracles!" they scoffed. "You can't be famous when you hide like this! If you're so great, prove it to the world!"(John 984). The Pharisees convicted Jesus of blasphemy before He was even tried, because they said that Jesus couldn't be the Messiah, for He would have been born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, not of a carp...
The Old Testament law is seen as irrelevant by most modern Christians today. Christians are now under the blood of Jesus Christ which is said to abrogate the Law. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love God and your neighbor as yourself. This does not mean, however, that the Old Testament Law does not apply to Christians today. Author J. Daniel Hays expounds on this topic in his article, “Applying the Old Testament Law Today,” and focuses on the hermeneutical approach of Principlism. This approach allows the Old Testament Law to be viewed in light of the New Testament.
reveals the nature of his faith to be one of humility and acceptance of his sinfulness. Upon
... always preached to the Jews first (13:5), and turned to the gentiles only after his fellow Jews had rejected him. "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister."
John was one of the first twelve disciples of Jesus and therefore an eye-witness (John 19:35); John brings out the spiritual significance as well as recording the practical aspects of Jesus' works and words. John lived to be older than any of the other writers. It is therefore likely that he was familiar with their accounts and wanted to supplement theirs with additional teaching and miracles by Jesus which had a bearing on the situation towards the end of the first century AD.
There will be an examination of every believer where their works are tried by fire by the judge, who is Jesus as stated in John 5:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” There will be a one on one between every believer and Jesus, not about whether they have salvation, but about what they did in their life for to glorify God. Nor is the judgment seat for believers about sins they have committed as Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The sins of believers were forgiven at the cross so there is no judgment for sins committed in the life of a Rewards are given for good works. In Ruth 2:12 it says “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Proverbs 11:18 says “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
John MacArthur states in his commentary “The most beautiful and graphic explanation of regeneration is in Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, a devout and highly respected Pharisee and teacher.” (chapter 5, section 2, para. 6) MacArthur goes on to say that “The leader only made a statement about Jesus and did not say anything about himself or ask the Lord a question. But the Lord knew what was re...
John was therefore an impetuous person, who demonstrated immense temperament behaviors together with his brother James. John can therefore be described as an individual who illustrated intolerance and selfishness. Ones they were selected to serve as Christ’s disciples, these two brothers continued to portray rude and impetuous behaviors. One incident was during the time when Jesus was nearing his crucifixion that he planned to go to Jerusalem. While in Samaria en-route Jerusalem, Jesus was not received and John, together with his brother James, requested for powers to burn the Samaritans through fire from heaven.
“Although 1 John had its origins during a period of false teaching, the author’s main purpose is not to confront heresy, but to reassure those who remain that they do indeed know the truth about Jesus, and consequently do have eternal life.” 1 John was written to reassure believers to keep the faith and continue to hold the values that they have, through a time when a schism was taking place within the church. The believers were living in a confusing time and according to Thompson “The turmoil within their congregation undoubtedly caused many to question their own faith and practice, and to wonder whether they were also guilty of or prone to the failings of the departed dissidents.”