John 3:1-21 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

We have a very famous passage found in the midst of this one. The narrative unfolds with a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, coming by night to speak with Jesus. The exact reasons why he would come by night may be speculated upon, but Scripture does not tell us directly why. All the same I do think that it is a really fun analogy to look at this and see that one came from darkness to His marvelous light.

Nicodemus recognizes something concerning Jesus. And highlights that none can do the signs that Jesus is doing unless he came from God. Jesus calls to Nicodemus to receive a greater level of recognition of this assertion. While according to the flesh and the things spoken of in the law, Nicodemus may have been able to recognize this, he is failing to see this for what it really is. Jesus, knowing his heart, tells him to become born again. For anyone that is unfamiliar with what it common Christian language today, that does sound like a strange call to action. Completely baffled by what Jesus called Nicodemus to do, he questioned it.

Jesus explains that for any to enter into the Kingdom of God he must be born again. He must be born of both water and the Spirit. What is the main point of that? Jesus is highlighting that the person must fully come from God. He must be born from above. He came here in the natural and experienced a birth in that way. So now, his spirit must be born again.

Nicodemus still doesn't get it.

Naturally, Jesus explains further giving His own bafflement at the fact that Nicodemus is not catching on to what Jesus is laying down. He goes on to the famous section we are all well familiar with and highlights how someone is born again and what that accomplishes by way of calling back to what would have been a familiar passage of Scripture in Numbers 21.

In a whole lot of clarity, Jesus highlights what His mission ultimately is here on earth and how He is going about it. He did not come to condemn, for those who are in their sin stand condemned already. He came to bring life and life to the fullest. Those that are in darkness will oppose the light because of their own wickedness. But those that live in truth will let their deeds be clearly seen, having done that work before the Lord. So is the very nature of what Jesus is presenting with Himself.