[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 3
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit” (John 2:5)
“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” (John 3:16)
“He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30)
JESUS TEACHES NICODEMUS (vs. 1-21)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and told Jesus: “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous sins you are doing if God were not with him” (v. 2). Jesus replied: “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (v. 3). Nicodemus was confused about “born again” because he understood it as physical birth. But Jesus told him what He meant was Spiritual Birth. All of us are born with old nature of sin because we are children of Adam. Our nature can not be changed unless we receive a new nature from God. The only way for us to enter the kingdom of God is to be born again.
“For God so love the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (v. 16). Therefore, the only way of salvation is through faith in Christ.
When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God sent a plague of snake to punish their rebellion. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and commanded the people to look up that snake to be healed. Similarly, Jesus was crucified on the cross and when we look up to Jesus believing He will save us, then we shall be saved.
JOHN THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS (vs. 22-36)
Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside and were baptizing people. John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim. Then, a Jew was confused over the matter of baptism. He told John that someone over the other side of the Jordan was also baptizing. Instead of being envious, John said: “I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him (v. 28). He must become greater; I must become less (v. 30).
SUMMARY:
The only way to salvation is through faith in Christ. Faith is believing and to believe is to put our trust and confidence in God, trusting His Word and relying on Him for the power to change. We should recognize that we cannot find salvation through any means – good deeds, skill, intelligence, wealth or material possessions. Only God can save us and give us eternal life.
To be born again means to be born of water and of the Spirit. “Water” refers to physical birth. “Born of the Spirit” means the new birth produced by the Spirit and the Word of God.
John’s disciples were disturbed because many people were following Christ instead of John. But John was willing to decrease his importance with humility. Sometimes, Satan’s weapon is to entice pastors and Christian leaders to grow jealous of the popularity of another person’s ministry. Let us remember that our true mission is to lead people to follow Christ not us. Beware not to put more emphasis on our own achievements. Let us continue to do what God has called us to do with humility and faithfulness until His return.[:]