Good morning everyone.
Today, we continue with the study on a Bible character.
The Bible records stories of real men and women.
When we take the time to study their lives, we can learn many things.
The Bible character for today’s lesson is found in the New Testament.
He is known for his question addressed to Jesus about being born again.
His story allows us to have a better understanding of how to get saved biblically.
We will look at the life of Nicodemus.
Our key verse for today’s lesson is from [John 3:4].
Let us read it together.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
The story of Nicodemus is told mainly in the Book of John.
First of all, who is Nicodemus?
Let us go to the Bible and see what God has revealed to us in [John 3:1].
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The Bible tells us that Nicodemus was a man.
He was of the Pharisees.
The word “Pharisee” means an exclusively religious separatist.
Throughout the four gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, we always see that the Pharisees challenged the Lord Jesus Christ over His teaching and interpretation of the law.
There are several famous Pharisees mentioned by names in the Bible.
Nicodemus is the one we will study today.
Gamaliel is another Pharisee mentioned by name in the Bible.
Gamaliel was known as “a doctor of the law” [Acts 5:34].
Apostle Paul’s background was also of Pharisee [Philippians 3:5].
Concerning the law, apostle Paul was trained by Gamaliel [Acts 22:3].
We will go back to Nicodemus.
The Bible tells us that Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews.
He has a high social position and is well educated with the law.
Let us also see what Nicodemus thought about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please continue with [John 3:2].
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
The Bible tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.
He addressed Jesus as “Rabbi” which means master as an official title of honor.
He admitted that the miracles performed by Jesus were from God.
Next, we will see what Jesus said to Nicodemus in [John 3:3].
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
This is a famous verse that we get the biblical term of being “born again.”
Jesus was trying to teach Nicodemus that no one can enter into heaven by their own good work and righteousness.
Let us see how Nicodemus responded in [John 3:4].
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Nicodemus was an example of a good learner.
He admitted that he did not understand what Jesus was trying to say.
He then asked questions to Jesus for clarification.
Nicodemus was thinking about the concept of physical birth while Jesus was referring to the spiritual birth.
Before salvation, all of us was dead spiritually.
But the moment you believe and trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask Him to be your personal Savior, you are born again spiritually.
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened,who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Next, we will see how Jesus replied to Nicodemus [John 3:5-7].
John 3:5 Jesus answered, 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.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
This verse is the emphasis of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You cannot enter heaven by your own merit and righteousness.
We all have a physical birth of water from the mother womb.
Contextually, Jesus was talking about spiritual birth.
He used the picture of physical birth as a teaching tool.
The Bible records that later Nicodemus appeared as part of the Jewish Council.
The Council discussed ways to get rid of Jesus.
Nicodemus raised the question for justice [John 7:50-51].
John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
John 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
The last scene we see Nicodemus mentioned was when he joined Joseph Arimathea to ask for Jesus’ body for burial [John 19:39].
John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
We see the progress of Nicodemus’s spiritual growth.
He was a seeker with a sincere heart.
He knew that Jesus was the real Messiah.
He came to see Jesus at night when he learned about being born again.
He appeared in public, asking for justice when other Pharisees tried to find a way to kill Jesus.
Lastly, he risked his own life and reputation when joining Joseph Arimathea for the burial of Jesus’ body.
What can we learn from the life of Nicodemus?
1. We cannot enter heaven unless we are born again.
2. God can change those who are willing to seek Him.
3. We should always be ready and available because God can use anybody for His glory.
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