John 3:1-21 What Nicodemus Couldn't Yet See

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and one of the most learned scholars of his time.  He was drawn to Jesus by His miracles.  He knew there was something more that he was missing.  So he came to find out what he could.  “He was a man of high moral character, deep religious hunger, and yet profound spiritual blindness,” my commentary said.  That’s not what we’d expect of a spiritual leader, but to his credit, he did come looking!

Jesus tried to explain spiritual birth to him, and “Nicodemus must have had a surprised and yet bewildered look on his face … Nicodemus was born a Jew!  He was part of God’s covenant people.  Certainly his birth was better than that of a Gentile or a Samaritan!  And his life was exemplary, for he was a faithful Pharisee!  He could well understand Jesus telling the Romans that they had to be born again, but certainly not the Jews!” my commentary said.  “The teacher of the Jews knew the facts recorded in the Scriptures, but he could not understand the truths.”

Jesus reminded him of Numbers 21:4-9, where God had sent fiery serpents to kill those who had rebelled against God.  Moses was instructed to lift up a brass serpent, and those who looked up to it in faith would be healed.  Jesus was saying, “That was a picture of Me!”  He would be lifted up – crucified, then glorified – and faith in Him would save those who trusted Him.

Finally, Jesus mentioned darkness in peoples’ lives.  They wouldn’t “come into the light of life because they love the darkness!  They want to persist in their evil deeds, and this keeps them from coming to the light, for the closer the sinner gets to the light, the more his sins are exposed.  It is not intellectual problems that keep people from trusting Christ; it is the moral and spiritual blindness that keeps them loving the darkness and hating the light,” my commentary added.

Father, I remember so well being so blinded and not wanting to come into the light of truth You were showing me.  I too did not want my sins exposed to you and held up to Your Son’s perfect life.  Please help those I love who are struggling to stay in the darkness of their evil deeds.  Bring them into the Your healing light.  Open their hearts and minds to Your truth, and expose the lies of Satan that they have fallen for.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford