NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 27
page 1803
3:17
bJn 6:29,57; 10:36;
11:42; 17:8,21; 20:21
cJn 12:47; 1Jn 4:14
3:18
5:24
4:9
dJn
e1Jn
3:19
fJn 1:4; 8:12
3:20
gEph 5:11,13
3:22
hJn 4:2
3:24
iMt 4:12; 14:3
•
J ohn
3:25
orld b to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. c 18Whoever believes
w
in him is not condemned, d but whoever does not believe stands condemned already
because they have not believed in the name of G
od’s one and only Son. e 19This is the
verdict: Light f has come into the w
orld, but people loved darkness instead of light be
cause their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the l ight, and will not come
into the l ight for fear that t heir deeds will be exposed. g 21But whoever lives by the t ruth
comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been
done in the sight of God.
John the Baptist Tells More about Jesus (25 )
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he
spent some time with them, and baptized. h 23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near
Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
24 (This was before John was put in prison.) i 25 An argument developed between some of
GOD SPECIALIZES IN finding and changing people we consider out
of reach. It took a while for Nicodemus to come out of the dark, but God
was patient with this “undercover” believer.
Afraid of being discovered, Nicodemus made an appointment to see
Jesus at night. Daylight conversations between Pharisees and Jesus tended to be antagonistic, but
Nicodemus really wanted to learn. He probably got a lot more than he expected—a challenge to
a new life! We know very little about Nicodemus, but we know he left that evening’s encounter a
changed man. He came away with a whole new understanding of both God and himself.
Nicodemus next appears in the story as part of the Jewish high council (John 7:50). As the
group discussed ways to eliminate Jesus, Nicodemus raised the question of justice. Although his
objection was overruled, he had spoken up. He had begun to make his faith public.
Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body
in order to provide for its burial (John 19:39). Realizing what he was risking, Nicodemus was making
a bold move. He was continuing to grow.
God wants us to continually grow in our faith; he isn’t looking for instant perfection. How well
have you continued to grow spiritually in good times and bad?
Nicodemus
Strengths and
accomplishments:
• One of the few religious leaders who believed in Jesus
• A member of the powerful Jewish high council (the Sanhedrin)
• Although a Pharisee, was attracted by Jesus’ character and miracles
• Joined with Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus
Weaknesses
and mistakes:
• Limited by his fear of being publicly exposed as Jesus’ follower
Lessons from
his life:
• Unless we are born again, we can never be part of the kingdom of God.
• God is able to change those we might consider unreachable.
• God is patient but persistent.
• If we are available, God can use us.
Vital statistics:
• Where: Jerusalem
• Occupation: Religious leader
• Contemporaries: Jesus, Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea
Key verse:
“‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot
enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’” (John 3:4)
Nicodemus’s story is told in John 3:1-21; 7:50-52; 19:39-40.
3:18 People often try to protect themselves from their fears by putting
their faith in something they do or have: good deeds, skill or intelligence,
money or possessions. But only God can save us from the one danger
we really need to fear—eternal condemnation. We believe in God by
recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to merit salvation and
by asking him to do his work in us. When Jesus talks about unbelievers,
he means those who reject or ignore him completely, not those who
have momentary doubts.
3:19-21 Many people don’t want their lives exposed to God’s light because they are afraid of what will be revealed. They don’t want to change
their ways. Don’t be surprised when these same people are threatened
by your desire to obey God and do what is right, because they are afraid
that the light in you may expose some of the darkness in their lives. Rather
than giving in to discouragement, keep praying that they will come to
see how much better it is to live in light than in darkness.
3:25-30 Some people look for points of disagreement so they can sow
seeds of discord, discontent, and doubt in order to make themselves feel
better. John the Baptist ended this theological argument by focusing on
his devotion to Jesus. To try to force others to believe our way is divisive.
Instead, let’s witness about what Jesus has done for us. How can anyone
argue with us about that?