Nicodemus' Question

John 3:1-16

Message No. 0646 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

In John chapter 3, the Bible says that one of the members of the Jewish ruling council approached Jesus; his name was Nicodemus and he said to Jesus (in verse 2):

“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.”

Characteristically, we see from time to time that Jesus refrained from entertaining a certain line of discussion because He already knew the minds of those asking the questions and He was in no mood for fruitless talk. So, in a ‘let’s cut through the chase’ attitude, Jesus opened up the real discussion He was willing to have. In verse 3, He bluntly told Nicodemus that no matter who he thought he was, he would not see God unless he got born again. Nicodemus asked further questions that showed his lack of understanding of the knowledge required of the position he occupied, so Jesus expanded His position by letting him and others standing by know that they stood no chance without humbling themselves and surrendering their lives to Christ.

Expectedly, Nicodemus’ dodgy questions continue to recur in our world today: can a person enter his or her mother’s womb a second time and be re-born? I’ve heard this question before. Now, Nicodemus certainly knew the answer to his question, or so I suppose, and it would seem that asking it was of no use, but he did anyways. The answer? No, they can’t, but the Holy Spirit can enter such a person and completely change his or her life and it will be apparent that the person is no longer the same.

Amazingly, the offer of salvation, as costly as it is, is free, and free sounds insulting to some people because they believe they have worked hard and made it in life and can afford to pay for anything, just name it. This ‘can-pay’ attitude has unfortunately led many to eternal damnation. Was salvation procured for free by Jesus? Absolutely not. This is the costliest procurement ever made, for someone to lay down His life to save people who did not know Him. In order to ensure that everyone had a chance and it’s not only the rich who could make it to God, He offered it for free.

What do born again people have that I do not have, one might ask. The answer? Plenty. First off, they have eternal life. The Bible says in John chapter 3 verse 16:

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.

It does not matter how horrible the life of such a person is, when a person gives his or her life to Christ, the name gets written in the book of life. Then, there’s peace. In John 14:27, Jesus told His disciples:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

What does this matter? While others are panicking, you are matching on as though nothing is happening. You don’t have all the solutions in your hand, but you sure know who does, and you know that He’s got your back. So, while the rich and the very rich are finding it difficult to sleep at night as they are scared or their brains are constantly working and trying to find a solution, you are sleeping and snoring because the God who promised you never fails.

Next, your life has meaning. Jesus Christ was the most impactful person who ever lived, but see what He told us in John 14:12:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

If you are finding it difficult to make meaning of your life, if you have so much success but everything seems dry and boring to you, if you are so rich but still can’t sleep at night, if you are not sure what will happen to you after death, if you occupy a position of respect like Nicodemus but you feel so empty inside, if all of your friends, family and wealth are incapable of giving you any lasting happiness, if you are wondering why some people who are not as privileged as you are, are so relaxed as though nothing bothers them, may I introduce you to the giver of life? Please give your life to Jesus Christ today. He is the beginning and the end of all things. When you surrender your life to Him, He will take it up from there and you will begin to see that there are things far greater than worldly success. He is knocking at the door of your heart right now, would you open?

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 PLEASE ACT NOW:
 If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!