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Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:1-17)
Have you ever wanted to visit someone or learn something and felt it was best to do that by night? What was your reason? In Nicodemus' case, it was because of who he was, a leader of the Jews. His visit to Jesus would have shaken his status and he might have lost everything. Yet, he took a chance and visited Jesus by night and asked Him who He was. Notice Nick knows Jesus was from God because the things Jesus was doing no one could do if he was not from God. Jesus takes the chance to reveal the first important teaching Nick receives that night. Number one: To understand God things, you must be spiritual. And Jesus says it in a way that still speaks to many, "You must be born from above," or as some have learned it through the years, "born again." This really confuses Nick and he asks a silly question about that process to which Jesus says, "You must be born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above." Then Jesus tries to explain it in a way that Nicodemus can understand it; just as the wind blows wherever it chooses, and one can hear it, you still don't know where it comes from nor where it goes; it's the same way with those who are Spirit-led. Nick still is clueless and Jesus says, "You've been a teacher of Israel and still you don't understand these things? That's one reason you guys don't get it." You don't understand the earthly things I have been sharing, how will you ever understand the heavenly things? Then a close about His death comparing it to what Moses did in the wilderness to bring salvation to those being bitten by snakes, so would His being lifted up on the cross would bring life to all who believe. Then the second and great revelation that Jesus shares with Nicodemus and with us: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life. 'Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.'"
A dear friend of mine during a sharing time in a retreat said he came to faith when someone suggested that he change the part that reads, "the world" and substitute his own name. His name is Skip. So, the verse became real and true to him as he said, "For God so loved Skip that He gave His only Son, so that if Skip believes in Him, Skip may have eternal life. Have you ever thought it might read, For God so loved (your name) that He gave His only Son, so that if (your name) believes in Him, (your name) might have eternal life."? I hope you have, because it is true.
This is the good news that we must share before it gets to be too late for some. No one wants to see their friends, or certainly not their family perish, so share it with them in a loving way. Live a life that becomes the gospel so that they can see in you what they are lacking.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus and for Jesus' mission here on the earth. I pray that we might truly come to receive and know Him as our Lord and Savior. Give us the boldness and right opportunity to share Jesus with those we love and certainly more with those we don't love; for we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Video Link: Here is ConCafe On the Cuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SSCQKKRZKU
