So, after driving the 10 or so hours from Cincinnati back to Elberton yesterday, unloading from the trip and winding down from the drive I was not able to get the December 3rd study on John 3 done yesterday. SO, today is a double dose. They will be separate blog posts, but I intend to drop both today. For those of you that are doing better than I am and did read yesterday and have been waiting patiently, thanks for bearing with me while I was on vacation. Here we go with John 3
Today's Reading is from John 3. The first section covers verses 1-21:
This first section contains in it probably the most famous and most quoted scripture worldwide. And we'll get to it soon, but I don't want to jump to it first like a kid in a candy store, I want to work towards it like an art lover in a museum, appreciating all the great art surrounding it and making it what it is. This section begins with Nicodemus who is a Jewish religious leader; he is a Pharisee; he is someone who knew the Jewish Law backwards and forwards and probably would have had his own followers and disciples like Jesus. But he comes to Jesus in secret, at night, so he won't be seen by his pharisee buddies belittling himself by going to Jesus the "Rebel Rabbi" for teaching.
First, he admits that the pharisees know that Jesus comes by the power of God (this is the first step of salvation by the way, believing Jesus is who he says he is); next Jesus seems to interrupt him and tell him that you have to be "born again" in order to see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus is confused because he assumes Jesus is speaking literally, meaning physically being born again. But Jesus is speaking of a spiritual birth; he says, "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit." Now some people have read this and assumed Jesus is speaking about being baptized then being filled with the Holy Spirit; but Jesus is literally talking about being born of water, (actual child-birth includes a lot of water) that is the first birth. Then being born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, upon acceptance of Jesus as Savior, makes us brand new beings, cleansed of our sins upon faith in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are "new creations" upon our acceptance of Jesus as Savior. This is what Jesus means by birth of Water & Spirit.
Then Jesus goes on to tell us how this new birth is made possible in the most well-known verse in the Bible, John 3:16. One final thing I want to comment on before moving to the next section is a verse that is often overlooked, but honestly just as powerful and it happens to be John 3:17. But you need to read both 16 & 17 together to get the full effect (Go ahead and read them now).
So often the Church as a whole is misunderstood by the world and seen as a giant finger pointing out the wrongs and the misbehaviors of the world, but verse 17 shows us that the purpose of the church is exactly the same as the purpose of Jesus, "not to condemn the world, but to bring it to salvation" THROUGH CHRIST!!! And how do we accomplish this...by getting people to a place where they can meet Jesus, namely CHURCH. Not by forcing it down there throats, rather by loving them, caring for them, having a strong friendship with them. People don't care about what or how much you know until they know how much you care. You will never debate or argue someone into a relationship with Jesus, (in the words of Taylor Swift) you will NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER get them and Jesus together by arguing. It is love that opens the door, and not just love for those who don't know Jesus yet, but also unfailing love for fellow believers, Jesus said in John 13:34-35 in order for the world to know you are my followers you have got to show love to one another. I think the world has gotten tired of watching the church as a whole fighting in and amongst itself; that one issue alone, and the resulting problems it creates, is probably the biggest reason why so many people want nothing to do with the church once they've experienced the so-called "Love" of church members.
Okay I need to move on...verses 22-36 is a quick look into an argument that John the Baptist had to be brought in on to settle. And it was basically over the growing popularity of Jesus and the waning(lessening) popularity of John. The key thing I want to mention here is what John says about how he views the popularity he once had...in verse 30; he says "He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less." This single verse could be and truly should THE life verse for every person who claims to be a Christian, who claims to follow Jesus. Our entire society is built around making myself greater; really, its about making myself the only priority. John tells us the opposite should be true. We must become less; in fact, we need to live as if we have nothing that we need. Our needs should simply be the needs of Jesus. When we see with his eyes, think with his mind, and love with his heart then nothing else matters except everyone else and their needs. That's exactly how Jesus lived his life. Check out what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-34 for more on this subject. Selfless love is what we are called to; "He must become Greater; I must become Less." This is a verse to live by, give it an honest shot and I guarantee you will never lack for what you really truly need.
I think that's plenty for now. But I'll catch you later today in my post on John 4. So read it and be ready for more of what God has to say to us today!!!
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