Life is like a journey. We are all on a road going somewhere. Some roads lead to a dead end, some go in the wrong direction, and some have accidents ahead! Nicodemus was a Pharisee in the time of Jesus who was wondering where his road was headed. Was he living a life good enough to get into heaven, or was there something more that he needed to do?
“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.””
John 3:1-2
Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night so no one would know. We do the same thing. We don't want anyone to see us. And we sure don't want anyone to see us doing something "religious." What Nicodemus and we really want to know is, "Are we ok, are we good enough?" There is a void in our soul - a want that is always seeking to be fulfilled.
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ””
John 3:3
What the??? What kind of bizarre statement was that? Actually, it was a deep spiritual truth. Our SPIRIT has to be born again. Re-birth happens when we turn back to God - when we repent. When this happens, it is life giving water to our parched, dry spirits.
“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.””
John 3:5-8
What does this mean - how can it be?
““How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
John 3:9-12
What does this mean???
“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.””
John 3:13-15
The snake on a pole in Moses' time, was a foreshadowing of Jesus and His personal sacrifice on the cross to heal us all. Today, this symbol is on every hospital and ambulance (a snake wrapped around a pole, inside a blue cross).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Only people who would believe in Jesus would have eternal life and be healed - saved from the consequences of our sins! Who is this available to: EVERYONE. What must we do: BELIEVE IN HIM.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
John 3:17
God loves us. He does NOT hate us.
He did NOT come to condemn us or anyone else on this world.
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:18
The condemnation is not from God, it is from us. We condemn ourselves.
Those that condemn themselves choose to walk in the darkness. Those that accept Jesus choose to walk in God's light. Choose Jesus and walk in the light.
For more wisdom on how to live life, see: www.truthatlife.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment