40-Day Devotion, Day 5
Preparation: John 3:1-21
Hungry For The Truth
Do you remember that dramatic Courtroom scene from the movie “A Few Good Men”? It’s one of the most spine-tingling exchanges in Hollywood history! Colonol Nathan R. Jessup (Jack Nicholson) was being interrogated by Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise). Kaffee, the defense attorney, at personal risk bullied the bully, trying to trip up Jessup into confessing his crime. Finally, Kaffee pushed the right button, because with his eyes bugging out Jessup shouted, “You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!”
THE TRUTH CAN SET YOU FREE
Often, in our search for truth, we come with our own set of preconceived ideas and definitions. Many times we’re seeking validation instead of revelation. Our minds are closed, blinded by our stubborn desire to win an argument. One day a man came to Jesus who was an honest seeker. He really wanted to know the truth. Jesus had been preforming miraculous signs, and they were impressive. So impressive that He sparked an interest in this prestigious Jewish religious leader, Nicodemus.
He came to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Why night? Did he think the crowds around Jesus would disperse at night so he could have more alone time with Him? Perhaps, but personally, I’m convinced Nicodemus was afraid of what others might think. By discussing this truth with Jesus, his position and reputation were at risk.
With confidence Nicodemus started the discussion. He said: “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him,” (John 3:2).
Nicodemus was approaching Jesus peer to peer, teacher to teacher, intellect to intellect. It’s interesting what he did not say: there was no speculation of Jesus being the Messiah, the Promised One.
It’s dramatic how Jesus seized control of the situation and flipped it from intellectual to spiritual. He didn’t mince words, but cut straight to the chase. Jesus elevated the talking point by suggesting, “I’m not just a teacher of God. I’m Him—the real deal—God in the flesh standing in front of you.” Of course, that’s not how Jesus phrased it up front, but it’s exactly what Nicodemus heard. “I tell you the truth, no one can seethe Kingdom of God unless he is born again,” (John 3:3).
Can you picture the stunned expression on Nicodemus’ face as Jesus spoke that riddle? In essence, Christ was saying, “Nicodemus, you want to know about God’s Kingdom, right? I have something better in mind: I want you to experience my Kingdom! But first you need to be born again.” I can almost hear his nervous laugh as Nicodemus asked, “Uh, Jesus, I’m an old man. How can I get born a second time?”
Jesus sharpened the focus and took dead aim at Nicodemus’ heart in verses 5-6: “No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” We can debate the full meaning here, but Jesus’ ultimate point was crystal clear. Natural birth gives birth to the flesh,but flesh eventually grows old and dies. The Kingdom of God (Heaven) requires spiritual birth, a supernatural birth that comes when the Spirit moves inside you. “You need this, Nicodemus. Even in your old age, it can still happen. You need to be born again.” The old adage says it well: “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”
Nicodemus was having a hard time getting his mind around this spiritual birth, so Jesus painted the picture reminding Nicodemus of a familiar story from the Torah (Numbers 21). Because of the Children of Israel’s rebellion, God brought a plague of snakes on them. These venomous vipers popped up everywhere, biting them with the expected results: everyone grew sick and many died. But God saved them by sending a strange remedy. Numbers 21:8 tells us: The LORD said to Moses: “Make a snake and put it up on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” The Israelites had no clue why God concocted that cure. It made no sense. But when they looked on the Bronze Serpent, they were healed!
Jesus looked Nicodemus and plowed deep into the fertile soil of his heart: (verse 12) “No one has ever gone into Heaven (God’s Kingdom) except the one who came from Heaven—the Son of Man. (that’s me! And here’s why I have come from Heaven to earth): Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.”
Nicodemus was the first person to hear and receive this next promise from Jesus, the verse that has been called “the Gospel in a nutshell”: John 3:16.
For God so loved... (God’s motivation. Here’s a profound truth: you can do nothing to make God love you more and nothing to make God love you less.
His love is in nite!)...the world... (The scope of God’s love—it is for all)
...that He gave... (To continue reading, please go to my comment below)