A Night Meeting

The term “born again” has gotten a bad rap for some people. To many it connotes an uptight, fundamental, ridged, judgmental, self-righteous goody-two-shoes person. Being born-again has been used and abused by many people including Christians themselves. But, its really the most wonderful and awe producing term because it was first spoke of by Jesus Himself.

1. What does the term “born again” say to you? How do you feel when you hear it?

In our text for today,  Jesus was speaking to a religious leader of the day named Nicodemus.  He was a Pharisee. The name Hebrew word “Pharisee” means “separatist, or the separated one.” They thought more highly of themselves and were viewed as the ultimate authority on Scripture and the Law. So to have a Pharisee meet with a common Rabbi and ask questions was extremely unusual and pretty risky since Jesus was causing a ruckus among the leaders of Israel by all He was saying and doing.

2. Read John 3:1-2. When did Jesus and Nicodemus meet? What does Nicodemus say to Jesus? Why is this significant?

Jesus met with Nicodemus at night. This was more than likely because Nicodemus was afraid of what the other Pharisees and leaders of Israel would think of (or possibly do to) him. Even though Nicodemus was considered an expert on God’s Word, he didn’t realize who Jesus really was. All he knew was Jesus was a teacher who came from God. Jesus was about to rock his world with what He was about to say.

3. Read John 3:3. What was Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus? 

Notice Jesus began His conversation with, “I tell you the truth...” He was stating He was only going to tell the whole truth no matter what Nicodemus thought. In other words, He was saying, “Here is the whole truth as to why I am here doing what I am doing, so listen closely, what I have to say comes from God.”

Nicodemus’ response to Jesus was another question. “How can a man be born when he is old? ...surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” He was dumbfound and little taken-back  by Jesus’ words. It was like Nicodemus was saying, “you have got to be kidding me...that’s impossible.” He didn’t yet understand what Jesus was saying.

4. Read John 1:12-13. Who does Jesus give the right to become children of God? How does this passage  define being  “reborn”?

Being born again (reborn) is not something we can accomplish on our own. It is a gift of God’s grace to mankind. Our only requirement is to accept this transforming gift to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom and have a relationship with Him.

 5. Read John 3:5-8. What do you think Jesus means by “being born of water and the Spirit”?

God’s Kingdom is not of human origin. It is Spirit ~ His Spirit. Our earthly bodies are limited and will die. The spirit we have within us is eternal. In order for our spirits to be joined with God and become His, we must give up our right to our lives and give the reins over to Jesus. Jesus knew this was a hard concept for Nicodemus just as it is for us now. It’s just like trying to figure out where the wind comes from. We don’t know how this rebirth happens. All we need to  know is that the Holy Spirit accomplishes it. He is the Source of this rebirth into God’s Kingdom. It’s nothing any person can do on their own. It all comes from God’s gift of grace.

6. Read John 3:9-15.  What did Nicodemus ask Jesus? Why did Jesus think Nicodemus should know what He was talking about? 

What does Jesus mean by saying, “I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?"

What does the passage mean by this statement Jesus made, “...the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”?

“Nicodemus was a very important person. As “Israel’s teacher,” he was a recognized authority on the Old Testament. Jesus implied that the Old Testament teaches a new birth, and so His own reference to being born again should not have shocked His visitor: Does the Old Testament teach this? Yes. Through Ezekiel God promised to take away His people’s heart of stone and give His people a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19), and through Jeremiah God promised to write His Law on the heart rather than on tablets of stone. (Jeremiah 31:33)” ~ 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered” by Larry Richards page 330

Nicodemus was a very religious person and an expert on God’s Word. He should have understood what Jesus said right away but he didn’t. Jesus knew the Holy Spirit would have to soften Nicodemus’ heart to allow him to understand what it meant to be born again. All of this is done by God’s Holy Spirit working on the heart of a person no matter how religious and Bible-savvy they are. No matter who we are, we must be born-again by the Spirit of God. How did God make a way to be born again?

 7. Read John 3:16-21.  Write out verses 16-17 in your own words:

    There is no judgment by God for whom? 

    What is in store for those who do not believe in God’s one and only Son?

    What is God’s judgment based on?

    What does darkness represent? What does the light expose?

    What do those who come to the light show to the world?

We are condemned by the sin in our lives. There is nothing we can do on our own to cleanse our guilt. It is only through believing in Jesus as the One and Only pure sacrifice for our penalty of sin that we have any hope of being cleansed and made right with God.

This was a stunning proposition for an old Pharisee like Nicodemus. His whole life was about being above all those around him. He was an expert at following all the rules and regulations of religion. Now he was hearing Jesus, who he believed was sent by God, say a person can only come to God through Him ~ Jesus.

8. Read John 19:38-40. Who went with Joseph of Arimathea to take Jesus’ body and prepare it for burial?

Do you suppose Nicodemus was confused by Jesus’ death?

Jesus had told Nicodemus that the Son of Man was to be lifted up like Moses lifted the snake up for the people of Israel to look upon and to be healed. He had just seen Jesus being lifted up on a cross. I’m sure the night Jesus spoke to him came rushing in. I choose to believe that he did come to Jesus and became born again. Maybe he was able to look beyond his religion and accept the grace of God given by the Son of Man ~ Jesus.

9. Read 2 Peter 3:18. What does it mean to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”?

Just like Nicodemus, we may be full of knowledge but haven’t received the grace God offers through Jesus. This gift of grace is given to anyone who acknowledges Jesus as the only way to God. Is there something that is getting in the way of your receiving the gift of grace from God found in the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins on the cross so long ago?

10. Read  Romans 3:23-26. Who has sinned? How can sinners be made right with God? Why do you or don’t you believe this?

Like Nicodemus, take time to meet with Jesus. He can answer your questions about who He is. The best news is this, Jesus has made a way to know God intimately and become a member of His Eternal Kingdom. You too can take part in this wonderful story of God’s grace through Jesus. God loves you so much He sent His only Son to make a way for you to be forgiven of all you have done wrong and draw you into life with Him forever.