< John 3 >

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to see Jesus secretly,vs.1-2John 3:1-2XWaiting for response and Jesus told him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.v.3John 3:3XWaiting for response When Nicodemus could not understand, Jesus added: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”.v.5John 3:5XWaiting for response We can readily understand this. We must be born of water by baptism now and at the return of Jesus be born of Spirit by change to immortal Spirit bodies. We shall then be physically, as well as morally, the sons of God and equal to the angels who are ministering spirits Heb.1:14 and move like the wind.vs.6-8John 3:6-8XWaiting for response Jesus often spoke “of heavenly things” v.12John 3:12XWaiting for response which people found hard to accept, and John added that no-one has ascended to heaven except Jesus who was in heaven at the time John wrote.v.13John 3:13XWaiting for response

When Jesus was lifted up he was cursed for us so that we might live Galatians 3:13-14Galatians 3:13-14XWaiting for response

Jesus showed that his being lifted up on the cross was prefigured by Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Just as those who looked to it recovered from the serpent’s bite Numbers 21:8Numbers 21:8XWaiting for response so whosoever looks on Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life.v.15John 3:15XWaiting for response Our natural destiny is to perish when we die but God, in love, has opened up a way of salvation through Jesus so that whosoever believes in him will not remain in the grave for ever but be brought out of it to live eternally.v.16John 3:16XWaiting for response If we do not believe, we will perish.v.19John 3:19XWaiting for response We are wise, therefore, if we believe the gospel, walk in the light of God’s word, and do godly deeds.v.21John 3:21XWaiting for response

The Jews questioned John the Baptist about Jesus, and John told them he was superior to himself. Jesus is, as it were, the bridegroom while John was his friend.v.29John 3:29XWaiting for response Jesus, furthermore, was “from above and come from heaven” while others are “of the earth”.v.31John 3:31XWaiting for response All men are descendants of Adam, who was made from the ground, so we are all of the earth. Jesus’ origin was from his Father in heaven, by the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary, so he was from above. This does not mean that Jesus personally came down from heaven, any more than it means that we sprang directly out of the earth. John is referring to our antecedents - we are earthy, Jesus is heavenly. Jesus, being God’s Son, was exalted above all other men. He spoke the words of God who gave him the Spirit without measure,v.34John 3:34XWaiting for response and “the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand”.v.35John 3:35XWaiting for response Note the Son is not equal with the Father, but the Father has given the Son all things. God has highly exalted his Son, so that only those who believe on the Son of God have everlasting life, potentially now v.36John 3:36XWaiting for response and actually when Jesus returns.