The Mission Is People 3 (John 3)

Good morning, everyone. Today, we are going to study John 3, but we will start in John chapter 2, verses 23 to 25. Here, we see many believing in Jesus because of the signs He performed. But we read that Jesus did not entrust Himself to them. Why? Because He knew what was in a man’s heart. This sets the stage for our exploration today. It's a tale of two beliefs: the superficial and the profound.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a respected religious leader comes to Jesus by night. He is a man intrigued yet cautious. His approach to Jesus reveals a man teetering on the edge of belief. Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God, but his understanding is still veiled. He sees the signs, but does he grasp their significance?

In this encounter, we witness a crucial lesson: the difference between outward religiosity and true spiritual insight. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, sees beyond Nicodemus' reputation and religiosity. He discerns the deeper need – a need not just for signs, but for transformation.

This story contains lessons about seeing beyond appearances, about understanding the true nature of belief, and about our role in guiding others towards a genuine encounter with Christ. We want everyone to be transformed by the profound truths that Jesus reveals to Nicodemus, and to us, about what it truly means to see the kingdom of God.

Our journey today is not just about understanding this exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus. It’s about recognizing our own mission in reaching out to others. How do we engage with those who appear religious, yet may be missing the essence of spiritual truth? How do we speak into the depths of people's hearts, offering them not just the miracles of Christ, but the transformative message of His love and salvation?

I. Nicodemus: A Case of Superficial Belief

Let’s turn our attention to Nicodemus. Here's a man of status, a Pharisee, part of the Jewish ruling council. Yet, he comes to Jesus under the cover of night. This is no coincidence. It speaks volumes. It’s a picture of a man intrigued by Jesus but not ready to step into the light of full commitment. He's drawn to Jesus, yet there’s caution, a reluctance to fully expose himself to the radical truth of Christ’s message.

Nicodemus opens the conversation with respect, acknowledging Jesus as a teacher from God. “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Notice the ‘we’ and ‘know’ – there's an intellectual assent, an acknowledgment of the signs Jesus has performed. Yet, in this acknowledgment, there's a distance, a failure to see beyond the miracles to the Messiah.

Here’s where Jesus, in His profound understanding of the human heart, cuts through the superficial. He doesn’t need Nicodemus’ affirmation; He sees what Nicodemus needs. Jesus responds, not with a thank you or a polite nod to the compliment, but with a challenge: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Nicodemus, it’s not about what you see in me; it’s about what you need to become.”

This statement by Jesus lays bare the heart of the matter. It’s not about intellectual belief or religious status. It’s about transformation, a complete spiritual rebirth. Jesus is pointing Nicodemus, and us, to a deeper truth – the truth that seeing the kingdom of God requires a radical change, a new birth from above.

In Nicodemus, we see a reflection of many who come close to the truth yet hold back, caught in the tension between curiosity and commitment. He wants what Jesus has to offer, but he is scared to lose what he has attained. As we reflect on Nicodemus’ initial approach to Jesus, let us ask ourselves: Are we, like Nicodemus, drawn to Jesus but hesitant to fully embrace the radical transformation He offers? Are we content with mere acknowledgment, or are we seeking a deeper, life-changing encounter with Christ?

II. Spiritual Misunderstanding

As Jesus engages with Nicodemus, He introduces a profound concept when he says, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” This statement confounds Nicodemus. How can an adult be born a second time? Nicodemus is trapped in literal interpretation, missing the spiritual significance. In his mind the kingdom is literal and physical. He wants Israel to be the greatest nation on earth. But Jesus isn’t talking about physical rebirth; He’s revealing a spiritual truth – the necessity of a transformation that is as radical as a new birth. He clarified that by pointing to the wind. The spiritual nature of the kingdom is as real as the wind. You cannot see it, but you feel it and see evidence of its existence.

Jesus explains further, emphasizing the need for being born of water and the Spirit. I’ve heard Christians use this text to say, “See you have to be baptized.” This is about repentance, baptism, and the inward change brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus struggles to understand. “How can this be?” he asks. It’s a question that reveals his internal conflict. He's a religious leader, yet he finds himself grappling with the basic principles of the kingdom of God. Jesus responds, somewhat surprisingly, with a rebuke: “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things?” It’s a wake-up call, not just to Nicodemus but to all who are comfortable in religious knowledge yet blind to spiritual truth.

Jesus then addresses the matter of heavenly things. These are “earthly things” but also spiritual realities, playing out in our earthly lives. They are foundational truths, and understanding them is essential to grasp the “heavenly things” – the deeper, more profound aspects of God’s kingdom. If Nicodemus wants to understand and know God, he needs to start with understanding the spiritual realm he inhabits. Jesus makes it clear – understanding and accepting the earthly truths of spiritual rebirth is a prerequisite to grasping these heavenly realities.

In this exchange, we're reminded of the importance of understanding and embracing the basic spiritual truths of our faith. It’s a challenge to examine whether we, like Nicodemus, are stuck in surface-level understanding or are ready to dive deeper into the spiritual realities of God’s kingdom. Jesus wants us to set down the physical and the external in order to focus on the spiritual and the eternal. Are we open to being born again, not just in water but in Spirit? Are we prepared to see beyond the earthly to the heavenly truths that Christ came to reveal?

III. The Revelation of God’s Love through Christ

As our conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus unfolds, we reach a pivotal moment that not only defines this interaction but the very heart of the Gospel itself. Jesus shifts from discussing spiritual rebirth and the kingdom of God to revealing the ultimate expression of God’s love and the path to salvation.

Jesus references an event from Israel's history, the serpent being lifted up in the wilderness, as a metaphor for His own crucifixion. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Here, Jesus is not just predicting His death; He’s illustrating the necessity of looking to Him for salvation. It’s about recognizing our sin, our need for a Savior, and finding redemption in Christ's sacrifice.

This leads us to one of the most profound verses in the Bible, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission and the heart of our faith. It’s a declaration of God’s unfathomable love for us, a love so vast that it bridges the gap between our sinfulness and His holiness.

This revelation is a turning point for Nicodemus and for anyone grappling with the nature of true belief. It's not merely acknowledging Jesus as a great teacher or a miracle worker; it's recognizing Him as the Son of God, sent out of God’s deep love for us, to bring us from death to life. It’s understanding that belief in Jesus is not just intellectual assent but a heartfelt trust in Him as our Savior.

In revealing the necessity of His crucifixion and the power of God’s love, Jesus invites Nicodemus—and all of us—to a deeper level of faith. It challenges us to reflect on the depth of our belief. Do we view Jesus merely as a historical figure, or do we embrace Him as our Lord and Savior, the very embodiment of God’s love for us? This point calls us to look beyond our religious practices and intellectual understanding, urging us to find our hope, our salvation, and our very life in the person of Jesus Christ.

Application: Walking in Light, Embracing the Mission

As we draw from the rich dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, our focus shifts towards practical application. Central to our reflection is Jesus’ call for Nicodemus to step out of the darkness and into the light—a call that resonates with each of us today.

Choosing Light Over Darkness

In concluding His discourse, Jesus contrasts light and darkness, a metaphor for truth and ignorance, righteousness and sin. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Here, Jesus isn’t just speaking to Nicodemus; He’s speaking to the human condition. It’s a profound reminder that belief in Jesus requires more than intellectual acceptance; it demands a life lived in the light of His truth and love.

The Challenge of Transparency

Choosing the light means embracing transparency and honesty, not just with others, but with ourselves and God. It means acknowledging our sins, our shortcomings, and laying them before Christ. It’s a call to examine where we, like Nicodemus, might be clinging to the darkness, reluctant to fully expose our lives to the light of Christ’s scrutiny and grace.

Living Out Our Belief in the Light

Living in the light has profound implications for our mission. It's about bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel through our actions, our relationships, and our conversations. It's about being so transformed by our encounter with Jesus that our lives become a beacon, drawing others out of the shadows and into the warmth of God’s love.

Engaging Others with Spiritual Depth

Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus underscores the need to engage others not just on a surface level but with deep, meaningful conversations about faith, salvation, and transformation. It challenges us to look beyond outward appearances and religious affiliations, to the heart’s condition, inviting others to experience the life-changing power of being born again in the Spirit.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the story of Nicodemus, let us be stirred by Jesus’ invitation to walk in the light and be born again. Let this be the lens through which we view our mission—seeing people not just as potential members of our community but as souls in need of the saving grace of Jesus. May we be bold in speaking spiritual truths, patient in nurturing understanding, and compassionate in guiding others from darkness to light. Our mission is people, and our path is illuminated by the profound truth of the Gospel, calling each of us to live, love, and lead in the light of Christ.

Throughout this sermon series, we've journeyed together through profound encounters between Jesus and individuals from various walks of life—each story shedding light on the essence of our mission: to see, to love, and to transform people through the power of the Gospel.

Our Call to Action: Empathy, Compassion, and Focus

As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that our mission is deeply relational. It's about more than just sharing a message; it's about sharing our lives, breaking through barriers with empathy, offering acceptance with compassion toward outsiders, and guiding others toward spiritual truth with a focus on deep commitment.

Empathy: Like Jesus with the Samaritan woman, let us be willing to cross social and cultural divides, to listen deeply and respond to the needs of those we encounter.

Compassion: Inspired by Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus, let us extend grace and acceptance, inviting everyone into the transformative presence of Christ, regardless of their past or present.

Focus: Following Jesus’ example with Nicodemus, let us engage in meaningful conversations, not shying away from the deep spiritual truths that challenge us to grow and be reborn in spirit.

Fulfilling Our Mission

As we leave, let's commit to being agents of change in a world that desperately needs the hope and love of Jesus. Our mission is people—each unique, each valued, each loved deeply by God. Let’s seek and save the lost, not as a task to be completed, but as a calling to be lived out with passion and purpose.

May we go forth with the courage to break barriers, the grace to build bridges, and the wisdom to bring light into the darkness. Together, let's fulfill our mission, carrying the message of Christ’s love to every heart, every home, and every corner of our world.