Highlights:
The One True God who is Jesus Christ in His Deity, the Living Word, the Word of God, the only Virgin born Son of God (John 1:1-5,14,34,48-51; 2:1-11) who said: I am The Way (for anyone to get to Heaven — v. 3:1-18) . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (14:6).
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night (John 3:1-2). This prominent rabbi probably wanted an uninterrupted conversation with Jesus, so he chose to see Him at night. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the council which controlled the religious life of Israel, yet he confessed to Jesus: Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God (3:2).
Jesus said to Nicodemus: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh (human parents) is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (sons of God v. 1:13) (3:5-6). Ye must be born again (3:7) of God (1:13). Ye have purified your souls . . . Being born again . . . by the Word of God (I Pet. 1:22-23). To illustrate how essential it is to be born again (receive eternal life), Jesus reminded Nicodemus of the Israelites, who near the end of their 40 years of wilderness wandering, once again complained about their circumstances. Consequently they were no longer under the protection of God. Thousands of people died in the desert by fiery serpents. When the people cried out to God, He commanded Moses to make a serpent of brass and lift it up on a pole. The people were healed by turning their eyes and looking up at the brazen serpent (Num. 21:5-9). Jesus then said: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14-15). He that believeth on Him is not condemned (judged): but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God (3:18). That serpent was made of brass since brass is a biblical symbol of judgment.
The one who is born again of the Holy Spirit loves the things he once ignored, and he now hates the things he once desired. When we were born the first time, we received the sinful nature which was inherited from Adam. When we are born again into the family of God, we receive His divine nature and will: Walk (live) as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord (Eph. 5:8-10).
Thought for Today:
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord (Lev. 19:18).
Word Studies:
1:5 the darkness comprehended it not, did not appropriate it; the unbelieving world cannot see its need for a Savior; 1:39 tenth hour, 4 p.m. by Jewish time, two hours before evening.
Cross References:
For John 1:23: See Is. 40:3; Mal. 3:1. John 2:17: See Ps. 69:9.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • International Broadcasts for Novembers sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Darrell Issa (CA) and Rep. John Spratt, Jr. (SC) • Country: Georgia (5.38 million) west and central Transcaucasia between Asia and Europe • Major languages: Georgian and Russian • Religious opposition to Christianity • 57% Georgian (and Russian) Orthodox; 21.2% Muslim; 5% Armenian Apostolic; .8% Catholic (Greek-Catholic); .5% Protestant (mainly Baptist); .5% Jewish; 15% Atheist/Agnostic • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understanding of the Word of God so you can share it with others (Ps. 119:27).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 14:33
