1. John 3:2 (NLT) 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
1.1. All Know
1.1.1. Nick was convinced Jesus was for real, even if he did not understand.
1.1.2. John goes out of the way to tell us it is after dark
1.1.2.1. Although Nick's choice of pronouns suggest he is speaking for others, "we all know", he apparently didn't want everybody to know he was there.
1.1.3. He came at night so no one would know.
1.1.3.1. Jesus does not mind and speaks gently with him.
1.1.3.1.1. Jesus responds to open hearts
1.1.3.1.2. He was not so kind to other "Religious people"
1.1.3.2. Also Jesus had time at night
1.2. Nick begins with a courteous, even flattering address "Rabbi"
1.2.1. Teacher who comes from God.
1.2.2. Teacher not Messiah
1.2.3. Amazing since Jesus had not been to all the schools.
1.2.3.1. John 7:15 (NLT) 15 The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
1.3. Though he comes alone he speaks in Plural "We all know you came from God"
1.3.1. Nick is more alone than he thinks since others apparently do not know since they would Kill Jesus.
2. John 3:3 (NLT) 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
2.1. Jesus could've said "oh thank you where did you train" :-)
2.1.1. Instead he launches right into the heart of the matter.
2.2. I tell you the truth.
2.2.1. Can also be translated "Amen"
2.2.2. Religious term communicating belief in a absolute truth.
2.2.3. There is no evidence from the time of Jesus that others confirmed their own words with an amen.
2.2.3.1. Could Jesus be pointing to his divinity?
2.3. "Unless you are born again you cannot see he kingdoms of God"
2.3.1. He is speaking directly to a Pharisee and using the word "you"
2.3.2. In an instant Jesus undermines and destroys the foundation of everything Nick had built his life on.
2.4. Born Again
2.4.1. Jesus consistently pushes people to think eternally
2.4.1.1. "The Kingdom of God" is the most common topic of Jesus is teaching.
2.4.1.2. When Jesus uses the term "the kingdom of God" he is looking towards eternity.
2.4.1.3. John 3:3 (NLT) 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
2.4.2. That was always what his kingdom was about
2.4.3. Could most accurately be said "unless a man is reborn from above"
2.4.4. Jesus could very well be using a pun to drive home his point.
2.4.5. John plants to seed for this principle in John 1: 13
2.4.5.1. John 1:13 (NLT) 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
2.4.5.2. This rebirth cannot be accomplished through human striving.
2.4.5.2.1. It is a creative supernatural process
2.4.5.2.2. Grace
3. John 3:4 (NLT) 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
3.1. It's obvious that Jesus was not speaking literally so why does Nicodemus respond in a frustrated fashion
3.1.1. Likely it was a insult to Nicks dignity.
3.1.1.1. There are references to proselytes who were admitted to the Jewish religion as being like children newly born.
3.1.1.1.1. reference
3.1.1.1.2. Nick would have thought it was appropriate for a gentile but not for a Jewish person
3.1.1.1.3. Certainly not for one who was a member of the Sanhedrin.
3.1.1.1.4. Using a common tactic in petty arguments he chooses to not understand.
3.2. Nick, like all of us is the sum of all his yesterday's.
3.2.1. It is likely that he is wistful rather than obtuse.
3.2.1.1. Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
3.2.1.1.1. ‘he wondered if the doctor was being deliberately obtuse’
3.2.1.2. The comment displays his frustration in not understanding rather than being argumentative with Jesus.
3.2.1.3. Even the people who seem to have it all together carry with them doubts, uncertainties, wishes, hopes, fears, and habits good and bad.
3.2.1.4. Physical rebirth is an impossibility but the greater miracle is the remaking of a persons entire being.
3.2.1.4.1. Regeneration, justification, being saved, accomplishes this incredible miracle.
4. John 3:5 (NLT) 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
4.1. Jesus begins his answer with the "Amen"
4.2. Water
4.2.1. John's Baptism
4.2.1.1. The readers of the gospel of John would've understood that it was also pointed at Christian baptism.
4.2.1.2. Repentance
4.3. Spirit
4.3.1. This rebirth cannot be accomplished through human striving.
4.3.1.1. It is a creative supernatural process
4.3.1.2. Grace
4.4. So "Water and Spirit" can also read
4.4.1. Repentance and Grace
4.4.2. John 3:5 (NLT) 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of "Repentance and Grace".
5. Message Video
6. Intro
6.1. John is building a case for Jesus.
6.2. John 1:1 (NLT) 1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
6.3. He had a purpose to become flesh.
6.3.1. That people might have satisfying life
6.3.2. John 10:10 (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
6.3.3. Both in this life and the next
6.3.4. Like sanctification it is due in part right now and completed in heaven
6.4. John lest us easedrop on a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.
6.4.1. He was a typical of Pharisaic Judaism.
6.4.1.1. With and open mind
6.4.1.1.1. And that he seems to be unique
6.4.1.2. Nick would have stressed observance of the law
6.4.1.2.1. Pentateuch
6.4.1.3. Traditions of the elders
6.4.1.3.1. Mishnah
6.4.1.3.2. 613 commandments
6.4.1.4. Obeying the Law was the path to salvation.
6.5. Jesus shows how Obeying the law misses the mark.
6.5.1. But a radical rebirth is required.
6.5.2. Rebirth or the new life is in contrast to the Jewish expectation of a new world.
6.5.2.1. No doubt one that did not include Roman rule.
6.5.2.2. Demand for rebirth repeated three times (vs 3, 5, 7)
6.5.2.2.1. John 3:3 (NLT) 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
6.5.2.2.2. John 3:5 (NLT) 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
6.5.2.2.3. John 3:7 (NLT) 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
6.6. Nicodemus is left without any doubt that it is not more law that is needed but the power of God's grace to remake us completely
7. John 3:1 (NLT) 1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.
7.1. Pharisee had not vested interest in the Temple.
7.1.1. Sadducees cared for temple
7.1.2. Jesus was seen as diminishing the temple.
7.1.3. The Pharisees had no vested interest in the Temple (which was rather the domain of the Sadducees).
7.1.3.1. Morris, L., 1995. The Gospel according to John, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
7.2. Jesus had just whipped people in the temple
7.2.1. John 2:14 (NLT) 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.
7.2.2. John 2:15 (NLT) 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.
7.2.3. John 2:16 (NLT) 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
7.2.4. Nicodemus was not so upset at that as it took the Sadducees down a peg.
7.3. Oral tradition was what mattered to Nick.
7.3.1. Mishnah
7.3.2. A great link Mishnah
7.3.3. Suffice to say, it was long and complex and open up for debate.
7.4. Latter Nick would defend Jesus Jn 7:40-53
7.4.1. John 7:50 (NLT) 50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.
7.4.2. John 7:51 (NLT) 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.
7.4.3. John 7:52 (NLT) 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
7.4.4. He seems to have an open mind but not so convinced to take the ridicule of his peers
7.5. He Helped Joseph of Arimathea at the burial.
7.5.1. John 19:38 (NLT) 38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
7.5.2. John 19:39 (NLT) 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
7.5.3. John 19:40 (NLT) 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
7.5.4. So he at least had great respect for Jesus