Read John 3:9-13. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
Digging Deeper
Puzzled? Confused? I have said to myself many times, “What did s/he just say to me?” or “I don’t understand their point!” Sometimes I have difficult a person’s word choice or their his sentence structure. Having poorer hearing especially with lots of other people speaking complicates it even further. Sometimes, I nod even though I don’t get it! Have you had that experience?
Nicodemus did. He heard the words of Jesus, but he didn’t understand the words of Jesus. He was bold enough to ask a follow-up question, “How can this be?” Jesus doesn’t immediately answered his question but pointed out something deeper within Nicodemus. He doesn’t believe Jesus words! He should have understood what Jesus was saying since he was Israel’s teacher, but he didn’t get it.
Jesus point out the root cause of Nicodemus failing to understand Jesus’ words. Jesus was saying to him, “Nicodemus, you are spiritually blind. To understand spiritual truths, one needs a spiritual birth.” One can read the physical words of Scriptures, but one don’t understands its spiritual relevance of the words of Scriptures to oneself.
When you and I read the physical pages of the Bible, they may become just words. It like reading any other novel, but there is a mysterious power to the Scriptures. This book is able to discern the thoughts and intents of one’s heart. It has the power to convict or to condemn. It has the power to bring to meet one’s soul’s search for truth and to release one’s bondage. It is the Living Word because the Words coming from the Living God. Without a spiritual birth, one will be missing the point of Scripture.
Jesus is the Word. The words that flows from His lips are life. Are the words that you and I read just words to us or are they life to you and me? If there is no spiritual transformation in one’s life, then they are just words to one’s life. If there is spiritual transformation, then the words are in one’s life. Where is the Word when you and I read it? Don’t give up. Jesus declares how one can be spiritually born again in this chapter.
Kingston