April 8
Jesus’s 72 Steps from Glory to Glory
Step 15: From Capernaum to Jerusalem
John 3:1-21
This is the first time Jesus has been to Jerusalem after the start of His ministry. Among the first things He does is clean the Temple (John 2:15). He will do this twice, one time at the beginning and another at the end of His ministry. While in Jerusalem, He will prophecy for the first time about His death (John 2:19). His popularity begins to grow, but Jesus understands the fickleness of men (John 2:24).
Tonight, we will look at John 3 and talk about what may be the most famous and most important verse in the New Testament: John 3:16.
John 3;1-21 An important question to ask tonight is, if you are a VIP, do you need to be born again? In this chapter. Nicodemus, a very important teacher and leader, comes to Jesus for an open and honest discussion. Jesus does not waste time. He gets right to the point and answers the question in Verse 3. Some say that the words “born again” mean “born from above”. The truth is, the new birth does come from God and not from man.
- In Verse 10, Jesus calls Nicodemus “the” teacher of Israel. This signifies that Nicodemus may have been the most famous and most important teacher of the Jewish religion in Israel of that time.
- V. 1 & 2 Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night.
- Why at night?
- What did Nicodemus know about Jesus? Compare John 3:2 with John 20:30-31.
An honest person, when they see what Jesus can and has done, has to confess that Jesus is God. Nicodemus was an honest man with reasonable questions looking for honest answers.
- V.5 What did Jesus mean when He said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
- Did He mean that water baptism actually changes you and saves you? What do you think? Turn to Eph. 2:8-9, 1Cor.1:17, Rom.5:1
- I think He was comparing the physical birth, “her water broke,” to the Spiritual birth.
To live on this earth, you must have a physical birthday (be born of water) and a spiritual birthday (be born of the Spirit)
- V.14 Jesus points out the need to be saved by pointing to Moses and the bronze snake. As a teacher, Nicodemus should have immediately understood the illustration.
- To understand John 3:16, we need to read Numbers 21:9.
- Jesus was saying to Nicodemus, “The serpent of sin has bitten you. This bite is fatal. God is going to erect a cross, and on that Cross He is going to place an antidote for the poison of sin. He is going to provide a Savior.”
- V.16 & 17
- Verse 16 is one of the most important, if not the most important, verses in the Bible.
- To many people, quote Verse 16, but forget Verse 17. Both are equally important.
- Did Nicodemus accept Christ? Maybe, possibly, he did. Although, like most VIPs who are followers of Christ today, he was not very vocal about it. But he did speak out when it was necessary.
Read John 7:50 and 19:39
We have seen Jesus meeting men and calling them to follow Him. Do you think that this happens with Nicodemus, and Nicodemus declines the offer? If God calls a person to do something specific, but they refuse, how does that affect their spiritual future?
- Verse 14: Jesus has predicted His death.
Step 16
From Jerusalem to the Jordan
John 3:22-36
- V. 22 Jesus baptizes in the Jordan River
- V.23 John testifies about Jesus
Email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
http://www.pavementendsministry.com
