We see in John 3 the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. As with all of John, there is a lot of symbolism going on here. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. What does that mean? It is speaking of a time, yes, but for John, there is more than that. In this Gospel, light and dark have deep and special meanings. We also take some time to talk about who the Pharisees were. While they were misguided, their intent and their origin are not bad. They wanted to follow God and obey His law. Their problem was that they focused more on their man-made law than they did on God’s Holy Law. What does this mean for us today?

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this Thursday morning as we continue our journey through the Gospel of John. I hope you’re doing well and excited to dive into one of the most powerful and profound chapters in the Bible—John chapter 3.

This chapter is a cornerstone of Christian faith, and we’re going to spend some time unpacking its rich content. Today, we’re going to focus on the big picture of what’s happening here, and then we’ll likely spend tomorrow digging deeper into verses 16 and following.

As we begin, it’s important to remember that John’s Gospel is filled with rich symbolism. Light and darkness are major themes that carry deep spiritual significance throughout the text. Everything in John’s Gospel has an additional layer of spiritual meaning, which we see right from the start of this passage.

In verse 2, we’re told that Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. This detail is significant because it symbolizes the spiritual state of Nicodemus at the time—he was in the dark, both literally and figuratively. He was a religious leader, yet he didn’t fully understand who Jesus was or what He was teaching. Coming at night suggests that Nicodemus was still in the shadows of misunderstanding, not yet in the full light of faith.

The Pharisees, like Nicodemus, were teachers of the Law. They were responsible for ensuring that the Jewish people knew and followed God’s Law, especially after the Babylonian exile when the importance of keeping the covenant became central to Jewish identity. However, over time, the Pharisees began to focus more on the man-made traditions and interpretations of the Law than on the Law itself. Their intentions were good—they wanted to prevent another exile by ensuring strict adherence to the Law—but they lost sight of the heart of God’s commandments.

This is where Nicodemus’s encounter with Jesus becomes so pivotal. Jesus tells him that in order to see the kingdom of God, one must be “born from above” or “born again.” This statement challenges the very foundation of Nicodemus’s understanding. He’s thinking in terms of physical birth, but Jesus is speaking about a spiritual rebirth—a transformation that goes beyond religious observance and into a living relationship with God.

Jesus’s emphasis on being born of water and the Spirit highlights the necessity of a spiritual transformation. It’s not just about following rules or traditions; it’s about a profound change that comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Religion, in many ways, is easier than faith. Religion can be about following a set of rules—do this, don’t do that. But faith requires a relationship with Jesus, which is much deeper and more challenging. The Pharisees were focused on the external aspects of religion, but Jesus calls us to something more—a relationship that changes us from the inside out.

As we go through today, let’s reflect on this idea of being “born from above.” Are we merely following religious practices, or are we truly living in a transformative relationship with Jesus? Religion can guide us, but it is Jesus who saves us.

Tomorrow, we’ll continue with verse 16 and explore one of the most beloved and important verses in the entire Bible. Thanks for joining today, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you. Have a blessed day!