Born of Water and Spirit

Lesson #34

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 3:5 – 8. We ended the last lesson with Nicodemus saying to Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he” (John 3:4 NET)? Of course he and we know that is not possible, but it was his way of telling Jesus that he didn’t understand. Jesus then answers, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 NET). Being born of water is our physical birth that we all experience, but now we are being told that the second birth is a spiritual birth which is required if we are to enter the kingdom of God. It is this spiritual birth that produces the “new creature in Christ” that Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It is a time when the old things that our lives have been made up of begin to pass away and are replaced by new things.

Jesus continues by saying, “What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above’” (John 3:6 – 7 NET). We are not sure what Nicodemus was expecting to learn from Jesus, but in just a few words a totally new concept was opened up to him and it is one of eternal consequences. It is one that applies to each one of us. The concept of a spiritual birth is so different from a faithful obedience to the Law that by now Nicodemus probably feels overwhelmed and may have expressed some doubt about this new concept because Jesus continues by saying, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 ESV).

It seems that the wind blows where it wishes and we see its effects on the things it moves around. Jesus is implying here that one who is born of the Spirit will demonstrate that by a kind of behavior. Under the law one painfully tries to be obedient to every point, which is impossible. Jesus is now introducing the idea that when one is born from above there is a new source within us that greatly helps us live the way we should. We are to learn to replace the work we do with allowing Jesus to work through us. This is just the beginning of new concepts Jesus will introduce to us in our future studies.

Prayer

Father, the concept of being born from above is not very widely accepted today because it requires one to humbly confess that we are broken, sinful people in need of a savior that can transform us. Lord, this concept of being born spiritually has opened up such an amazing life adventure for me. I find that the more I study the more treasures I find and the more meaningful and exciting life becomes. Without your presence in my life there would be death instead of life within and darkness instead of light. Thank you for the kindness of your grace.

Born from Above

Lesson #33

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 3:1 – 4. Chapter 3 opens with “a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council” coming “to Jesus at night” (John 3:1 – 2a ESV). At the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were a member of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism and had a growing dislike for him. It appears that Nicodemus wanted to find out more about Jesus and arranged to visit him. There is speculation as to why he came at night. Maybe he was afraid of public association with Jesus, or maybe he wanted a lengthy discussion without interruptions. John does not see the reason for coming when he did to be important enough to give us an explanation for the timing of the interview.

Nicodemus “came to Jesus at night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.’“ (John 3:2 NET). For Nicodemus to say to Jesus that he was a teacher from God, because of the miraculous signs he was performing, suggest that he thought Jesus may indeed be the Messiah and desired further information. I can see the same thing happening in countries today where there is persecution. A person who wants to learn more about Jesus might seek out a Christian alone at night where they can talk without someone hearing or seeing them. By approaching Jesus this way, Nicodemus was demonstrating prudence by being so private.

In his reply, Jesus makes no reference to being called a teacher from God, but what he does say takes Nicodemus by surprise. Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NET). Jesus wants to draw the focus away from the things he was teaching and to the idea of a second birth. Here translations differ and cause some confusion. Some say “born again” and others say “born from above. When born again is used, some, like Nicodemus, wonder how it is possible to be born again physically. Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he” (John 3:4 NET)? Nicodemus is right, you can’t, but it also indicates that he had no concept of such a thing as a spiritual birth, which is what Jesus says is required.

We have come to a most important concept in their conversation. Our understanding of this and then experiencing it through faith determines our eternal destiny. We will continue this in our next lesson.

Prayer

Father, thank you for choosing me and causing me to be born again. Thank you that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thank you that by grace I have been saved through faith and that it is not of my own doing. Thank you that it is your gift to me and not a result of works that I could boast of. Thank you that I have been created in Christ Jesus for doing good works, which were prepared before I was ever born. Lord, guide and strengthen me to do them to your honor and glory.

Free but Costly

Lesson #32

Before we begin chapter three I believe it is important for us to focus on something that could be very painful and even discouraging. Chapter 3 looks carefully at the importance of being born again and the depths of God’s love in providing us with salvation. It is true that a person can find an abundant and meaningful life as a believer. That you hear often when one shares their faith here in the west where we still have religious freedom, but go to many eastern countries and you will find intense persecution. I know about it from serving underground in Asia. There if you accept Jesus Christ it could cost you your life. Making a choice for Jesus there is so much different than it is here in the west, but should it be?

Before starting chapter 3 and considering the topic of being born again I am requesting that you take time and listen to the interview found at the link below. It is a must listen for anyone reading these lessons living in the west. Those being persecuted are our brothers and sisters. We need to understand what life is like for them. This interview will make that very clear.

Link to Interview

Prayer

Father, I pray that this interview made it clear that our salvation came through much suffering and that in many parts of the world being your witness also involves much suffering. Father, you gave your Son for us and maybe some of us will have to give our lives as we walk with you. Prepare us for that possibility.

Wrong Understanding

Lesson #31

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:23 – 25. “Now when [Jesus] was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.” People were drawn to Jesus, not because of who he was, but because of what he was doing. It is the same today. People are drawn to a good performance or something spectacular. Through the signs he was doing, people began to see him as a possible deliverer and began to associate him with the Messiah, but their concept of Messiah was not the same as that of Jesus. Today the concept of who Jesus is in the minds of people is very different from who he really is. Only Jesus who is accepted as God in flesh is the true savior and Messiah.

There is growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and there is a growing desire by the people to have Jesus take charge and set them free from the Roman oppression. Jesus has to act cautiously and prudently to be sure neither group gets out of hand or join forces against him. Jesus has much work to do before it is time for his death. As a result “Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people” (John 2:24 NET). Jesus needed to maintain a balanced relationship with those around him to allow him time to do the work given to him by his Father.

“[Jesus] did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man” (John 2:25 NET). No one had to explain to Jesus what man was like. “He knew what was in man” because “All things were created by him” (John 1:3 NET) and because he was God (John 1:1). Their belief in him was not true belief. What they believed he could accomplish would satisfy their desires, but it was definitely not according to God’s plans. The tension between what they wanted Jesus to do and what God’s plan was for him would eventually cause them to join the Jewish leaders and turn against Jesus for claiming to be someone they believed he was not.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, what an awesome thing it is to think that you could create the universe and then enter into it through a woman to demonstrate to a sinful people what God is like and then show through your death and resurrection how much God loves us. Lord, as I watch you carefully spend time with people I see the importance and caution that should guide me as a witness. Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters in locations where they don’t know if they will live another day because of their faith in Jesus.

Which Temple

Lesson #30

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:18 – 22. The Jewish leaders watched and listened to Jesus as he cleared the temple courts and then they responded with, “What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things” (John 2:18 NET)? These Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to defend his actions with some mark of divine authentication. It is not clear if they were requesting a miracle, but when challenged like this Jesus does not respond with a sign. Instead, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19 ESV). The Jewish leaders had no idea what he was referring to and said to him, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and are you going to raise it up in three days” (John 2:20 NET)? The only temple they understood was the building before them, “But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21 NET). If we look ahead to Revelation 21:22 we read, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (ESV). As believers, our bodies are considered a temple of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“So after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22 NET). Put yourself in the place of one of the disciples, especially one of his brothers. How would you feel and what would you think when Jesus referred to the temple as his Father’s house and then when he said that he would rebuild the temple in three days. Would you begin to think there was something wrong with him? How is it possible that God who created the universe is standing before you as your brother? Try to get your mind around that and you will then better identify with the people of Jesus time.

Prayer

Father, another simple passage but with profound implications. I think of the temple and the sacrifices offered there for sin. I then think of Jesus becoming the temple in its place and he being the perfect sacrifice for sin. I think of each of us believers being a temple of the Holy Spirit. Father, the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, to live and then to die and to be raised from the dead was unique and a pivot point in history. Thank you for making me a part of this.

Cleansing the Temple

Lesson #29

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:14 – 17. Jesus went from Capernaum (the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry) to Jerusalem (probably with his mother and brothers and disciples). “He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables” (2:14 NET). Inside the temple court, a place meant for prayer and other acts of worship, there were pens of oxen and sheep, and cages of doves and merchants sitting around them waiting to make a transaction, and others who were prepared to exchange a pilgrim’s money into the right currency so that they could make a purchase. By selling these animals the merchants were rendering a service to those who had traveled from long distances as it was much easier to bring money and purchase the needed animals for sacrifice upon their arrival. But by doing this business in the temple courts it disrupted the worship of non-Jewish God fearing people and thus obstructed the very purpose for which the temple courts existed.

When Jesus saw what was taking place it upset him, “So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” (2:15 NET). The whips would be seen as an emblem of his authority and used to encourage the merchants and their animals to leave. There is no evidence that Jesus used any violence against the merchants engaged in this unhallowed traffic. Scattering the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables was a way of enforcing his position. As Jesus did this he gave clear instructions to the merchants by saying, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace” (2:16 NET)! In this statement Jesus is identifying himself as the Son of God by referring to the temple as his Father’s house. The disciples watched Jesus and remembered that it was written years ago, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (2:17 ESV). This is a reference back to Psalm 69:9 and suggest a growing opposition against Jesus.

Before leaving this section, a problem should be noted. Why is this temple cleansing episode placed here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, while the other gospel writers have it near the end of his ministry? Is there one or two temple cleansings? The debate goes on and as it does I am willing to accept this to be the first cleansing with a second one occurring later.

Prayer

Father, as I study about this temple abuse I see similar problems today in our churches. We have programs and projects and social events with a focus on entrainment or fun times and we forget to worship and praise as we should the One who gives meaning and purpose to life. We have our Bibles but we don’t spend the time we should with them to learn about you and how we should live with one another and we wonder why we have such a limited effect on our culture. Lord, do what it takes to draw us back to you.

Time to Travel Again

Lesson #28

In the narrative of John 2, we find ourselves between two major events; the wedding at Cana where Jesus performs his first miracle and the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. Verses 12 and 13 describe a minor detail of travel between the two. It would be easy to simply read these two verses and move on to the cleansing of the temple, but I think it would be good for us to join Jesus and his party for a time of travel. If we are going to travel we will need a map of Israel at the time of Jesus. NET Bible had just the map.

Israel During the Time of Jesus

At the top of the map is a link to view a full scale map, which I selected and then copied just the section I wanted for this lesson and inserted it below.

When I began I thought this would be an easy and fun lesson, but quickly I found trouble. On the map above the distance from Bethany to Cana is about 80 miles. John 2:1 allows just two days for travel by foot, which is not possible. After some digging around I discovered that the location of the ancient city of Bethany is not known. Bethany as shown on the map above cannot be correct because it is too far from Cana to walk to in two days. To solve the distance problem some think ancient Bethany is located near the Sea of Galilee, but there is no agreement as to where. Some say it is north of the Sea of Galilee and others say to the south. Wherever ancient Bethany was located it had to be within a two day walk of Cana where Jesus went for the wedding. Since Jesus was going from Bethany to the area of Galilee it seems logical that Bethany would be south of the Sea of Galilee.

 “After [the wedding, Jesus] went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days” (John 2:12 NET). Try to imagine being one of the brothers of Jesus and you just witnessed him making wine out of water. How would you feel and what kind of conversation would you have? After the wedding we learn that “his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11), but what did they believe? What are Mary’s thoughts now that she realizes that this is the start of his journey toward the cross?

Capernaum is an interesting tourist location today. The following link shows what it is like there now.

Link to Capernaum 

“Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 2:13 NET). The distance from Capernaum to Jerusalem is about 106 miles and would have taken six days, covering about 18 miles per day. Going up or down is in terms of elevation.

This lesson sure was different. I pray you gained something from it.

Prayer

Father, this was a different kind of lesson. I realized that when I simply read the Bible it appears to be no more than a collections of stories, but when I stop and study it is like sitting down to a wonderful meal. I find flavor and nourishment when I do. Father, over time that nourishment produces a life more like Jesus. Without this regular nourishment how can a person not be spiritually anemic and face all kinds of spiritual problems during their life? Lord, thank you for keeping me close to your word.