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PREPARE

As a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus would have much knowledge of the scriptures and God’s promises to send a rescuer for His people. But his knowledge lacked understanding and when Jesus came on the scene his curiosity overcame his fear enough to visit Jesus at night. Jesus’ answers to Nicodemus’ questions led to more questions, as Jesus sought to draw Nicodemus away from the inadequacy of his intellect, proclaiming to him the necessity of spiritual re-birth. Later in the gospel of John we see Nicodemus defending Jesus before his peers on the basis of Jewish law. John gives us one last glimpse into Nicodemus with his open act of reverence in providing the hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes with which the body of Jesus was embalmed (John 19:39) Finally Nicodemus is willing publicly to associate with Jesus, the King of the Jews.

Although Jesus gave Nicodemus everything he needed to believe and be reborn, it took Nicodemus time to understand and be willing to commit to Jesus in a public way.

The Hero of this story is Jesus who met Nicodemus where he was at, challenging him to embrace the truth of Jesus identity and Nicodemus’ only source of righteousness and rescue. Jesus helped Nicodemus when Nicodemus was afraid for people to know he was Jesus’ friend.

Our own intellect is inadequate to lead us to Faith in Jesus and active obedience in following Him and sometimes it takes us time to fully grasp His character and His worth. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to show us our need and to understand His sufficiency in meeting that need. Jesus keeps His promise to be found by all those who seek Him and to save all those who call on His name.

LISTEN

Verses: John 3:1-21, John 19:38-40

Main Point: Everyone who believes in Jesus is born again, has eternal life, and is free from condemnation.

1. Encounter with Jesus: (John 3:1-15)

2. The Gospel: (John 3:16-21)

3. A Changed Life: (John 19:38-40)

REFLECT

1. What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you?
2. Describe the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus in your own words. What can we learn about God in these verses? What does it mean to be “born again”? Why is this necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?
3. Read John 3:1-2. What did John record about Nicodemus? What did it mean that he was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council? How did Nicodemus greet Jesus? Why is this significant?
4. Read John 3:3-8. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus that he must do to enter the Kingdom of God? Why was Nicodemus confused?
5. What did Jesus reveal about the Holy Spirt in these verses? What does this tell us about the Spirit’s role in salvation?
6. Read John 3:9-15. What example did Jesus give Nicodemus to help him understand what faith looks like? How does Moses lifting up the snake in the desert compare to what Jesus would do on the cross?
7. Read John 3:16-21. Why did God the Father send Jesus the Son into the world? How did this display the Father’s love? What is the standing of all humans without trusting Jesus?
8. What does condemnation mean? If a person trusts in Jesus, are they condemned? What about the person who doesn’t trust in Jesus? Why is this significant to the gospel?
9. In this passage, light is symbolic of truth. Why did John say people hate the light? Why do those who live by the truth come into the light?
10. Read John 19:38-40. What did Joseph and Nicodemus do with Jesus’ body. How much money would the spices have cost? What did this reveal about the character of Nicodemus?

ACT

- What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
- How can you deepen your relationship with God and follow Him more closely this week?
- Who is someone you can share what you learned with?