Gospel of John 09.vp

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The Gospe l of John

1. Nicodemus’s statement about Jesus: honest evaluation or smooth butter ?, John 3.2 – This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 2. The case for faith: Nicodemus believed in (or at least was intrigued by) Jesus, but lacked the will to act on that belief, cf. John 12.42-43 – Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 3. The case for falsity: Nicodemus rejected Jesus’ claim to be Messiah and spoke these words as a prelude to catch him in his trap , cf. Matt. 22.16-17 – And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truth fully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

4. Evidence in Nicodemus’s future confession of Jesus as Messiah, John 19.38-39.

D. Conversion is birth from above, 3.3-8.

1. “Born from above” which means “from God” (a Jewish circumlocution or roundabout expression for God), one cannot see the Kingdom of God, John 3.3.

2. Nicodemus’s problem: literalistic thinking, John 3.4

3. Jesus reply: You must be born again , John 3.6-8.