The Church of Divine Guidance Sunday morning Adult Bible Study is embarking on an exhaustive study of the book of John. Of the four gospels, John’s gospel presents Jesus as God most forcefully. John explicitly declared Jesus to be God who brought all things into existence. John’s gospel confirmed that Jesus was YHVH of the Jews . He is light and life . These are the notes of that study. Be sire to listen to the audio of the study at then end of these notes.
Last week John starts his gospel by introducing Jesus and he used the term that He was the Word and with that title John was declaring that Jesus is the full expression of God to us. Just as we express our thoughts to others through words, God expressed himself to humanity in Jesus. First that the Word was there in the beginning and not only that but that He was God. Second everything that God made was made through Him and if He hadn’t been there nothing would have been made.
He then introduces John the Baptist
John 1:6-10 (NKJV)6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John the Baptist was a prophet, a person who speaks God’s messages to people. His task was to be a witness for the One bringing life and light to the people.
At the end of the chapter he introduces the first men who followed Jesus; Andrew, Simon (who became Peter), Phillip, Nathanael, and one which he didn’t name, which may have been John.
John 1:35-40 (NKJV)35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
We didn’t get to talk about this section of the chapter much last week.
Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and when he heard John say who Jesus was he followed him and then went and told his brother, Simon that they had found the Messiah. When Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus is when Jesus called him Peter and that who he become know to be, Peter (A Stone or Rock). Jesus, Himself, found Philip and after Philip decided to follow Jesus he went and found his brother. What’s interesting is that Andrew, Simon, and Philip don’t seem to have questioned why Jesus was they just followed, Andrew because of what John the Baptist said, Simon, because of that his brother Andrew said, Philip because of his encounter with Jesus, but with Philip’s brother Nathanael, it wasn’t that easy. Philip told Nathanael that they had found the Messiah, but he told him that Jesus was from Nazareth. Nathanael was from Cana, a town near to Nazareth. We do not really know why Nathanael insulted Nazareth, perhaps Nathanael thought that the *Messiah would come from a more important place than Nazareth. However he went to meet Jesus anyway.
Jesus had never met Nathanael. But Jesus knew about him. Nathanael was surprised that Jesus knew this. It convinced Nathanael that Jesus was God’s Son and *Israel’s king. But Jesus said that Nathaniel would see greater things than this.
In verse 51 Jesus called Himself Son of Man
John 1:51 (NKJV)51 And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Son of Man was Jesus' preferred method of designating himself, according to the Gospels. The Gospels record some seventy-eight times that Jesus used this title for Himself.
Though the Bible does not define its exact meaning, the title "Son of Man" probably refers to the fact that Jesus was perfect humanity. He, as God, came down and lived among us as the perfect human being. By doing this, He fulfilled the Law of Moses and did what no other human being was able to do. By using this title, He is identifying with the people He had come to save.
This Week We Move On To Chapter 2
In chapter two, John pulls two events from the early ministry of Jesus that demonstrate his power and authority. We are shown a miraculous sign as Jesus exercises his creative power to turn water into wine. We are also shown a prophetic sign as Jesus cleanses God's temple in Jerusalem. Both signs demonstrate that Jesus was the fullness of God clothed in humanity.
Jesus First Miracle
Read John 2:1-11
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| Water to Wine |
John 2:1-11 (NKJV)1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
When the groom's parents ran out of wine for their guests, Jesus' mother asked him to help
John 2:3 (NKJV)3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
What do you think Mary expected Jesus to do? (Remember, according to John 2:11 Jesus had not yet performed any miracles.)
It seems that Mary mother, was a special guest at this wedding. Mary had some responsibility for the wedding, because she worried about the wine. And she had the authority to give orders to the servants.
Weddings were very special occasions. After the ceremony, the people went to a party. This party continued for a week. The guests ate and drank together. But if there was not enough food or drink for the week, the bride and the bridegroom felt great shame. It was their duty to provide plenty. If they ran out of food or wine during the feast, it was considered a very serious insult to the guests.
John 2:5 (NKJV)5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
The Gospels never refer to Joseph as alive during Jesus' adult years. Probably Joseph died during Jesus' young adulthood. As the oldest son, Jesus had the responsibility of caring for Mary and helping her. It was natural, then, in this time of need for Mary to come to Jesus for help.
Mary may have expected Jesus to use the situation to call attention to himself in a way that would have furthered his Messianic program, but if that’s true Jesus had other ideas.
John 2:4 (NKJV)4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."
What did Jesus mean by his reply to Mary in John 2:4?
The use of Woman does not involve disrespect. We know that He meant no disrespect for His mother because of what he said when on the cross.
John 19:25-27 (NKJV)25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
Jesus wanted his mother to understand that the former relationship between the two of them was at an end.Jesus knew that he had come to the earth for a special purpose. He was the Messiah, but he had not shown this yet. So ‘my time’ could refer to the time when he would do this show Himself as the Messiah,or it could refer to his death on the cross. He never forgot this.
She was not to interfere in his mission. Mary wisely did not dispute the matter. If she could not command him, she could instruct the servants to obey his directions. Thus she showed her confidence in him. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
John 2:6-7 (NKJV)6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
These were large water pots holding twenty to thirty gallons each were available at the feast for washing the feet of the guests as they arrived and for the subsequent ceremonial washing of hands required by Jewish tradition.
John was not writing only for the benefit of the Jews but also for the benefit of the Gentiles. So he explained why there were pots of water in the house. The Jews believed that to touch certain things made people unclean inside their hearts and spirits. So they washed their hands before and during a meal to make themselves clean again.
Why did Jesus command that the servants fill the pots with water (John 2:7)? (Obviously, Jesus could have simply created wine in the empty pots.)
This would show that Jesus had power over nature changing one substance into another. By the servants filling them there was no opportunity of saying that the disciples of Jesus had filled them with wine to produce the "appearance" of a miracle. In this case there could be no deception. The quantity was very considerable. The servants would know whether the "wine" or "water" had been put in these vessels. It could not be believed that they had either the power or the disposition to impose on others in this manner, and the way was therefore clear for the proof that Jesus had really changed what was known to be water into wine. Further, vessels were used for this miracle in which wine had not been kept. These pots were never used to put wine in, but simply to keep "water" in for the various purposes of ablution. A large number was used on this occasion, because there were many guests. - Barnes' Notes on the Bible
John 2:8-10 (NKJV)8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"
If you had been a wedding guest, what do you imagine your reaction would have been to this miracle?
The servants obeyed Jesus’ strange instructions. However, they did not know what would happen. Sometimes, we do not understand why Jesus asks us to do a certain thing. But when we obey him, something wonderful happens.
Jesus told the servants to fill the pots with water. Then he told them to take out some water. And he told them to give it to the host. The word ‘host’ here means the man who was responsible for the party. He was like a chief waiter. Jesus had made the water change. It had become wine!
People always drank the best wine first at a wedding. But Jesus’ wine was even better. So much so that a taste of the wine assured this functionary that it was of superior quality, so much superior that he felt constrained to compliment the bridegroom for treating his guests with unusual consideration, giving them good wine at the end of the feast, when many would be so filled as not to be able to discern whether the wine was good or inferior. The shortage of wine was relieved by Jesus' intervention. The deeper truth is that, symbolically, Judaism is here revealed as deficient (in its stress upon ceremonial washings to the neglect of spiritual matters, and in its depletion, indicated by the empty water jars), whereas Christ brings fullness of blessing of the highest sort.
How did Jesus' disciples respond?
John 2:11 (NKJV)11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
The purpose of Jesus' miracle was not to save the groom from embarrassment but to display Christ's glory.
The word for miracle, which John uses throughout, means sign, indicating that the outward act is intended to reveal the purpose behind it, throwing light on the person of Christ or his work. Glory in this case is a term calling attention to the potency of Jesus to accomplish a spiritual transformation, as suggested by the changing of water into wine - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Jesus First Visit To Jerusalem After Starting His Earthly Ministry
Jesus Cleans The Temple
Read John 2:12-25.
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| Cleansing the Temple |
John 2:12-25 (NKJV)12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business.15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
The scene shifts in these verses from Cana to Jerusalem. Jesus went to Jerusalem to be with his family and his disciples for the celebration of Passover.
Passover was a great feast day commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Instead of leading the people into a time of praise and worship to God, however, the temple leaders used it as a moneymaking opportunity. Men selling animals were agents of the high priest, who sold "approved" sacrificial animals usually at three to five times their market value.
Animals for sacrifices had to be perfect, without a mark or a spot on them.
Exodus 12:5 (NKJV)5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
The Temple agents examined the animals that people brought for sacrifices. But the officials were not fair or honest. They accepted only the animals that people had bought from the Temple. They rejected any animals that people had bought from places outside the Temple. So this forced everyone to buy animals from the Temple. But these animals cost much more than usual. They were very expensive, so that the merchants made a big profit.
The priestly leaders had also determined that the annual temple tax could be paid only in Judean coinage. Jews from other parts of the empire who had come to worship in Jerusalem had to exchange their foreign coins for Judean coins at a very high profit for the money exchangers. The entire system was run as a monopoly by Annas, the high priest. In the popular language of the day, the temple courtyard was called "the Bazaar of Annas."
Every Jew had to pay a tax to the Temple.
The Temple tax was a tax that went towards the upkeep of the Jewish Temple, as reported in the Mishna, New Testament, and based on an interpretation of Exodus 30:13.
Exodus 30:13 (NKJV)13 This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs). The half-shekel shall be an offering to the LORD.
The Jews even tried to trip up Jesus with a question about the Temple tax.
Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV)24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"25 He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"26 Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
Jesus' actions in the temple meant lost profits for the priestly leaders. They now had a reason to hate Jesus. This was the first of two cleansings that Jesus carried out. This one came early in his ministry; the second came just a few days before his crucifixion
Mark 11:15-19 (NKJV)15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.17 Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' "18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.
How does John's picture of Jesus in John 2:15-16 fit with today's popular concept of him?
John 2:15-16 (NKJV)15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
What is the significance of Jesus' claim that the temple is "my Father's house"?
Only the Messiah had the authority to cleanse the temple and Jesus was identifying Himself as God’s Son and equal with God.
John 2:17-18 (NKJV)17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"
The people recognized that and asked Jesus for a miraculous sign to confirm his identity To what "sign" did Jesus point them?
John 2:18-22 (NKJV)18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
Why do you think that particular sign was so significant in Jesus' mind?
Jesus’ comment was obviously figurative because it was unlikely that the Jews would destroy their own Temple. The comment is more of a hypothesis -- If you destroy, I will raise up. Taking him literally, the Jews felt that his statement was ridiculous, since the Temple had required forty-six years to build. Herod had begun its reconstruction in 20 b.c. Some work still remained to be done, but the structure was sufficiently complete to be spoken of as built.
He wasn’t talking about the physical temple complex He was talking about His body. This prophecy helped to promote faith on the part of the disciples, but not until after the resurrection of their Lord from the dead (remember John is writing after the other apostles are dead and he is recalling their responses and actions after Jesus resurrection). They remembered all the things that He said and did while on the earth.
John 12:16 (NKJV)16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
John 2:23-25 (NKJV)23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
If people were believing in Jesus because of the miraculous signs, why didn't Jesus "entrust himself to them" ?
Many people believed in Jesus because he did miracles. But they did not have a real faith that would last. They believed in him for the wrong reasons. They saw that he had power. They wanted to know how they could benefit from this power. They had what may be called miracle-faith. They were following him because he was popular. We will find out later that many of them would leave him when he became unpopular. Some of them would come to oppose him.
He knew this already because he knew the human heart and discerned the lack of genuine trust.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Let’s Look At Chapter 3
What are some of the positive images associated with birth?
New life, innocence…
The most beautiful explanation of the new birth is found here in John 3. It's a passage that children can understand and one that the greatest saints of God have never fully grasped. It's a message not so much to be analyzed and dissected as it is to be received with joy.
Jesus Meets With A Jewish Leader
Read 3:1-21
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| Jesus Meets With Nicodemus |
John 3:1-21 (NKJV)1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.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."
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
What is your impression of Nicodemus?
In contrast to the many in Jerusalem who "believed" but to whom Jesus refused to commit himself, Nicodemus looms as one to whom the Lord opened his heart, one who became a true disciple.
He was concerned about what his friends and colleagues thought about him. He was obviously curious about Jesus and His miracles and teaching. He was looking for real answers. He was a Pharisee meaning that he probably knew and followed the law but was now curious about this new teaching and the miracles associated with the teacher.
John 3:1-2 (NKJV)1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.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."
Why do you think he comes to see Jesus at night?
It may have been because he was afraid to come by day in fear of his Pharisee friends and other members of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was group of 70 Jewish leaders, plus the High Priest. The Romans ruled the Jews. But they allowed the Jewish leaders to make decisions about certain legal matters and also matters about their religion. These 70 Jewish leaders came from rich and important families.
The Sanhedrin is the group who met at night, which was illegal, to try Jesus
Mark 14:53-55 (NKJV)53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.
It’s also possible that he may have just wanted to have a long talk which would have been difficult in the daytime with the crowds around Jesus.
Why does he come to see Jesus at all?
He obviously felt that he could learn from Jesus and he wasn’t the only one who thought Jesus was a teacher because he said “we know”. Jesus was a popular teacher and crowds followed him. So maybe Nicodemus wanted to discuss important spiritual matters in private, when Jesus was alone.
John 3:3 (NKJV)3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Jesus' reply to Nicodemus seems to have nothing to do with Nicodemus's statement. Why do you think Jesus brings up the subject of the new birth?
In the mind of Nicodemus the miracles may well have been indications of the speedy coming of the kingdom of God in a political sense. But Jesus introduced an entirely different concept of the kingdom, with the signs pointing to a spiritual reign of God. To be born again is to be born anew, from above, which is what the Greek phrase may mean. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
John 3:4-8 (NKJV)4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
He knew that a man can not be born over again in a physical sense. Perhaps Jesus meant that it is just as impossible for one who is old to change his outlook and his ways.
Jesus said that a person needs two births. The first is the natural birth of the body. This happens by means of one’s parents. The second birth is a spiritual birth. Only the Holy Spirit can make this happen.
We cannot get this new life for ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can give it to us. It is a gift from God
Titus 3:5 (NKJV)5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NKJV)10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
Flesh can only reproduce itself as flesh, and this cannot pass muster with God.
Romans 8:8 (NKJV)8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The law of reproduction is "after its kind." So likewise the Spirit produces spirit, a life born, nurtured, and matured by the Spirit of God. If this spells mystery, let it be recognized that there is mystery in nature also. Wind (pneuma, the same word as for "Spirit") produces observable effects as it blows, but its source and future movements remain hidden. So the redeemed life shows itself as something effective, though defying analysis by the natural man - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
John 3:9 (NKJV)9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
Why do you suppose Nicodemus responds to Jesus' explanation with such amazement ?
Nicodemus was a very clever man. He knew the Scriptures well and he taught people about them. But he did not understand what Jesus was teaching him. Because he was clever, he realised this. He was wise enough to ask Jesus some questions. Nicodemus really wanted to learn and to understand. Jesus explained things to him, because Nicodemus was honest and sincere. However, people do not have to be clever to believe what Jesus said. They just have to have faith in him. His words are all true!
John 3:10-11 (NKJV)10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
Why is Jesus likewise amazed at Nicodemus's ignorance?
Jesus was surprised that a Jewish leader and Pharisee didn’t know this. A spiritual kingdom wasn’t new and if the kingdom was spiritual then there would be the necessity for a spiritual life. Could it be that a master (lit., the teacher) of Israel did not know these things?
Ezekiel 11:19 (NKJV)19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
John 3:12-13 (NKJV)12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
Earthly things are the things already discussed, such as the nature of the kingdom and of spiritual birth and life. Heavenly things are matters which the Son of man, by his coming down from heaven, had to reveal as new and distinctive - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Matthew 11:25-27 (NKJV)25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
Many people today do not understand what Jesus taught about spiritual matters. It is not because they are not clever. Often, it is because they do not want to understand. Perhaps they are too proud. Or perhaps they are too lazy! Holy Spirit helps us to understand spiritual matters. If the Holy Spirit is not present in a person’s spirit, that person cannot understand spiritual matters
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (NKJV)13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
But when we understand, we have to do something about it. It affects us. We must choose whether to obey Jesus or not.
We’ll continue next week.
Bible Study Audio
<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>
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