WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday April 9, 2017
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JESUS AND NICODEMUS
(JESUS is GOD’s greatest expression of love)
(John 3:1-21)
Nicodemus
was a member of the “Sanhedrin”, the ruling council, or, governing body of
religion and state under Rome. He was a Pharisee who had zealous dedication to
GOD’s Law. He was also “a teacher of Israel”, and held the distinctive office
of being an authoritative interpreter of Scripture. However, he did come to
JESUS with an open mind, intent on listening to the Man, WHOM he himself, had
seen perform many miracles.
Right away JESUS stuns the seasoned scholar by saying to him, “Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD” (John 3:3 - KJV). In other
words, JESUS was telling a man who was thought to be “spiritual” by almost everyone,
including his own self, that, before any spiritual questions can be dealt with,
a man must be born anew, spiritually. He would have to be baptized in the
SPIRIT that JESUS HIMSELF would later impart (in the person of the HOLY SPIRIT)
to anyone that believes in HIM. And even though the concept of a “spiritual
rebirth” is clearly evident in the Old Testament also, here, Nicodemus is
still, clearly confused by this divine revelation of truth that JESUS has just
imparted to him (John 3:4).
JESUS further elaborates on HIS prior statement regarding spiritual
rebirth in verses 5-7, by stating, “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom
of GOD without being born of water, and, the SPIRIT”. Humans can reproduce only
human life, but the HOLY SPIRIT gives new life from Heaven” (NLT). In other
words, JESUS is saying that, the first requirement for a person to be eligible
for the kingdom of GOD is that GOD has to allow that person to exist in the
first place. When a woman’s “water” breaks after the fullness of the time of
her pregnancy, a person, or persons are born into the world and human life
begins its journey in earnest in the physical world. However, only through
accepting CHRIST JESUS, first with our lips, and then, in our hearts, (and
thereby, inviting the HOLY SPIRIT to dwell within us), can a person ever
receive a new spiritual, eternal life in Heaven.
To be “born again” is the phrase that clearly describes the goal of the
aspiring Christian. It is the true Christian’s desire, that GOD will exact HIS
divine power upon our lives with a “moral infusion” that will transform us into
a people that can, at all times, reflect HIS image to others, through our own
behavior. And just as “Natural Birth” marks the beginning of our new life in
the physical world, and makes us “children of man”, “Spiritual Birth” marks the
beginning of our new life in CHRIST JESUS, and makes us “children of GOD” (John
3:5-6).
At this time, JESUS responds with a question of HIS OWN, by asking
Nicodemus, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these thing (v. 10 –
KJV)? In other words, HE was asking him, “aren’t you a respected Jewish teacher
and yet you don’t understand these things?” If you don’t believe the things
that GOD is doing on earth, you can’t possibly believe the things that are done
in Heaven” (John 3:10-12).
Then, after giving Nicodemus a prophetic revelation of how HIS earthly
ministry would end (Verses 13-15), JESUS goes on to utter what is, arguably,
the most well known verse in all of Scripture, when HE states, “For GOD so
loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth
in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 - KJV).
It is “the statement” in Scripture that, perhaps, more clearly than all
other statements, reveals to us that “GOD’s motivation towards HIS people is
“love”. It is a love that is not limited to a few, or, just to a single group
of people. GOD’s gifts of Love and Salvation are for everyone who dares to
believe. GOD’s purpose in sending HIS OWN SON (HIS first advent) is for our
“Salvation”, and not for our “condemnation”. In fact, there is no judgment
awaiting those who believe.
The “lost sinners” are those who do not accept CHRIST JESUS as their
LORD and SAVIOR, and by rejecting HIM, “they already stand condemned” (are
already judged). They will remain lost, unless they put their trust and faith
in CHRIST JESUS, while they yet live (v. 18).
The Scriptures tell us that their judgment (the lost person) is based on
this fact: “the LIGHT from Heaven came into the world, but they loved the
darkness more than the LIGHT, for their actions were evil. They hate the LIGHT
because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the LIGHT for
fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who desire
to do what is right come to the LIGHT gladly, so everyone can see that they are
doing what GOD wants” (Vs. 19-21 - NLT).
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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