Fierce Conversations - Nicodemus

In John 2:22-25, we read that Jesus knows all people. "Knowing" as used here is more than recognizing a face - Jesus has supernatural wisdom and insight into the working of our hearts and minds. He came to minister, not entertain. Later, in John 3:1-21, Jesus encounters a Pharisee named Nicodemus, and they engage in a fierce conversation about how a man might enter heaven. Nicodemus addresses Jesus as "Rabbi" in a sign of respect and acknowledges that no one could do what Jesus had done unless God had sent them. 

Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter because He knows all men and says, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Nicodemus is confused, asking, "How can a man be born again?" Jesus references Ezekiel 36, a passage of Scripture that would have been familiar to Nicodemus, saying, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." Once an individual accepts Jesus as Savior, God "breathes" into their being, transforming him from natural to supernatural. Nicodemus still can't grasp what Jesus is saying, despite Jesus' use of familiar illustrations and passages of Scripture. Jesus says, You are Israel's teacher, and do you not understand these things…I have spoken to you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" In other words, I'm speaking very plainly to you; how can I give you more complex answers if you don't understand the simple truth?

Jesus uses the example of God's deliverance of the Israelites from the venomous snakes He had sent into their camp in the wilderness as judgment for their constant complaints. The people beg Moses to intervene on their behalf before God, and God tells Moses to forge a bronze snake and put it on the end of his staff. To be healed, all the people needed to do is look at the snake. Jesus continues, "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." Though some believe that our entrance into heaven depends on living a good life, Jesus is very clear it is through faith alone. The snakebite of sin has bitten us, but "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." 

God does the work of eternal life. Verse 31 reads, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." Jesus is emphasizing that even the things we may take credit for, the good we do, has in reality been done by God through us. They are His works, not our own. 

We've all been bitten. In Ezekiel, God saved the people from venomous snakes in Numbers 21; likewise, Jesus saves us from the snakebite of our sin. We've all been born with the toxin of sin; the only antidote is the blood of Jesus. 

Jesus is God's love. Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still in our sinful state, God sent his Son to die for us. So any time we waver and fear that God doesn't love us, all we have to do is look at the cross and see how deeply He does. 

Do you love your snakebite? We don't want our deeds to be exposed and come into the light, because we're comfortable despite those snakebites killing us. We don't want to surrender ourselves because too much accountability and discomfort are involved. 

Do you want to reveal what God has done. When we acknowledge who Jesus is and what He has done, in, through, and with us, we experience eternal life and can lead others into the Light.

  • In her book "Fierce Conversations," Susan Scott says, "The world is shaped one conversation at a time." 

  • What does Nicodemus' role as a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews tell us specifically about his life and faith? Was he a religious man? Did he know Old Testament Scripture? Did he obey the Law? 

  • Read Numbers 21:4-9. What is going on in this Old Testament story? What parallel does Jesus make by using this illustration? Do you think that Nicodemus understood what Jesus was telling him? Why or why not?

  • Why doesn't Nicodemus understand? Does Nicodemus think that new birth applies to him? Why or why not?

  • Pastor Christian pointed out that the meaning of "perish" goes beyond "extinguished life" to also mean futile or meaningless efforts and contrast failure vs. success. How does that change the way you read John 3:16? How should it impact how we approach problems or the challenges life brings?

  • Is there any evidence that Nicodemus became a Christian after this encounter with Jesus? Read John 19:38-40 Discuss whether Nicodemus fully realized who Jesus is and what He came to do. 

Make a Move: 

Identify your snakebite. Surrender it to God today. If you're struggling with letting go, talk to one of our pastors for tools and encouragement to overcome. 

Prayer Prompt: 

Father, thank you for the promise of new life in You through surrender. You demonstrated Your great love for me by sending Jesus, the antidote to the snakebite of my sin. Help me to come with an open heart and open hands, surrendering anything that stands between You and me. Let my story be one of hope and transformation that draws others into a saving relationship with You. Amen.