In this short story we hear of something that speaks much louder than words. See if you agree with me that there is nothing that could speak more clearly than this language of love we will hear about.
Although Nicodemus was a religion teacher, he was learning things about God and Heaven that he had never heard of!
When Jesus told him that he needed to be "born again - born of the Spirit", Nicodemus asked, "How can this be?"
"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know.. but you people do not accept our testimony." (verses 9-12.)
Nicodemus had had the right belief about Jesus when he had said earlier "You are a teacher who has come from God..." (John 3:2.) But, he still was not willing to accept Jesus' teaching in place of his religion's teachings! (verse 11.) Who better could know God's true message than Jesus?
"No one has ever gone into Heaven except the one who came from Heaven -the Son of Man." (verse 13.) Jesus, had come from Heaven and God, and so we dare not ignore His teachings. (Hebrews 1:1-2. John 1:1-2,14.) Jesus not just speaks for God, He speaks as God. (verses 11-12.)
It is the words of Jesus that will be our judge on the last day - not the words of some religion or teacher! (John 12:48.)
Jesus went on to use an illustration from Israel's history that would leave Nicodemus in no doubt about how to be "born again". Many Israelites had been dying from poisonous snake bites - God's judgment upon them for their disobedience. Yet, God offered them life instead of death if they would, in obedient faith, just look to the bronze snake God told Moses
to put up on a pole. Anyone who looked - lived! (Numbers 21:6-9. John 3:14.)
In a similar way God was now offering Life instead of death to any sinner who would, in obedient faith, look to Jesus to save him/her.
How can this be? It is because of God's Great love in providing a way for sinners to escape God's judgment against sin. You know that "greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13.) But God showed the true greatness of His love when He laid down His life for His enemies! - for sinners like you and me. (Romans 5:6-8.)
Surely this speaks of God's great love for you. Here is a language of Love that we dare not ignore! "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (verse 16.)
You can receive "Eternal Life" right now by faith in Jesus, God's Son, as your Priest and Saviour. (John 3:36. 5:24.) That is what it means to be "born again", and you will begin a new life acceptable to God because of Jesus Christ. (John 1:12-13. 2nd Corinthians 5:17.)
You will want to live the rest of your life pleasing to your God and Saviour. (Titus 2:11-14.)
You can read of God speaking by His language of Love in John's Gospel chapter 3, verses 8-16.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
For the next
reading from John's Gospel go to NEXT
In order to browse
further "Good News Compage" prompts and commentaries for John's
Gospel go to
---------------oOo---------------
