WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John3
Verses136
Chapter3
THEMANWHOCAMEBYNIGHT(John3:16)
3:16TherewasamanwhowasoneofthePhariseeswhowas
calledNicodemus,aruleroftheJews.HecametoJesusby
nightandsaidtohim:"Rabbi,weknowthatyouareateacher
whohascomefromGod,fornoonecandothesignswhichyou
dounlessGodiswithhim."Jesusansweredhim:"Thisisthe
truthItellyouunlessamanisrebornfromabove,hecannot
seethekingdomofGod."Nicodemussaidtohim:"Howcana
manbebornwhenheisold?Surelyhecannotenterintohis
mother'swombasecondtimeandbeborn?"Jesusanswered:
"ThisisthetruthItellyouunlessamanisbornofwaterand
theSpirit,hecannotenterintothekingdomofGod.Thatwhich
isbornfromthefleshisflesh,andthatwhichisbornofthe
Spiritisspirit."
ForthemostpartweseeJesussurroundedbytheordinarypeople,butherewesee
himincontactwithoneofthearistocracyofJerusalem.Therearecertainthingsthat
weknowaboutNicodemus.
(i)Nicodemusmusthavebeenwealthy.WhenJesusdiedNicodemusbroughtforhis
body"amixtureofmyrrhandaloesaboutanhundredpoundweight"(John19:39),
andonlyawealthymancouldhavebroughtthat.
(ii)NicodemuswasaPharisee.InmanywaysthePhariseeswerethebestpeoplein
thewholecountry.Therewerenevermorethan6,000ofthemtheywerewhatwas
knownasachaburah(compareGreek#2266),orbrotherhood.Theyenteredintothis
brotherhoodbytakingapledgeinfrontofthreewitnessesthattheywouldspendall
theirlivesobservingeverydetailofthescriballaw.
Whatexactlydidthatmean?TotheJewtheLawwasthemostsacredthinginallthe
world.TheLawwasthefirstfivebooksoftheOldTestament.Theybelievedittobe
theperfectwordofGod.Toaddonewordtoitortotakeonewordawayfromitwas
adeadlysin.NowiftheLawistheperfectandcompletewordofGod,thatmust
meanthatitcontainedeverythingamanneedknowforthelivingofagoodlife,ifnot
explicitly,thenimplicitly.Ifitwasnotthereinsomanywords,itmustbepossibleto
deduceit.TheLawasitstoodconsistedofgreat,wide,nobleprincipleswhichaman
hadtoworkoutforhimself.ButforthelaterJewsthatwasnotenough.Theysaid:
"TheLawiscompleteitcontainseverythingnecessaryforthelivingofagoodlife
thereforeintheLawtheremustbearegulationtogoverneverypossibleincidentin
everypossiblemomentforeverypossibleman."Sotheysetouttoextractfromthe
greatprinciplesofthelawaninfinitenumberofrulesandregulationstogovernevery
conceivablesituationinlife.Inotherwordstheychangedthelawofthegreat
principlesintothelegalismofbylawsandregulations.
ThebestexampleofwhattheydidistobeseenintheSabbathlaw.IntheBible
itselfwearesimplytoldthatwemustremembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholyand
thatonthatdaynoworkmustbedone,eitherbyamanorbyhisservantsorhis

animals.Notcontentwiththat,thelaterJewsspenthourafterhourandgeneration
aftergenerationdefiningwhatworkisandlistingthethingsthatmayandmaynotbe
doneontheSabbathday.TheMishnahisthecodifiedscriballaw.Thescribesspent
theirlivesworkingouttheserulesandregulations.IntheMishnahthesectiononthe
Sabbathextendstonofewerthantwentyfourchapters.TheTalmudisthe
explanatorycommentaryontheMishnah,andintheJerusalemTalmudthesection
explainingtheSabbathlawrunstosixtyfourandahalfcolumnsandinthe
BabylonianTalmuditrunstoonehundredandfiftysixdoublefoliopages.Andwe
aretoldaboutarabbiwhospenttwoandahalfyearsinstudyingoneofthetwenty
fourchaptersoftheMishnah.
Thekindofthingtheydidwasthis.TotieaknotontheSabbathwastoworkbuta
knothadtobedefined."Thefollowingaretheknotsthemakingofwhichrendersa
manguiltytheknotofcameldriversandthatofsailorsandasoneisguiltyby
reasonoftyingthem,soalsoofuntyingthem."Ontheotherhandknotswhichcould
betiedoruntiedwithonehandwerequitelegal.Further,"awomanmaytieupaslit
inhershiftandthestringsofhercapandthoseofhergirdle,thestrapsofshoesor
sandals,ofskinsofwineandoil."Nowseewhathappened.Supposeamanwished
toletdownabucketintoawelltodrawwaterontheSabbathday.Hecouldnottiea
ropetoit,foraknotonaropewasillegalontheSabbathbuthecouldtieittoa
woman'sgirdleandletitdown,foraknotinagirdlewasquitelegal.Thatwasthe
kindofthingwhichtothescribesandPhariseeswasamatteroflifeanddeaththat
wasreligionthattothemwaspleasingandservingGod.
TakethecaseofjourneyingontheSabbath.Exodus16:29says:"Remainevery
manofyouinhisplaceletnomangooutofhisplaceontheseventhday."A
Sabbathday'sjourneywasthereforelimitedtotwothousandcubits,thatis,one
thousandyards.But,ifaropewastiedacrosstheendofastreet,thewholestreet
becameonehouseandamancouldgoathousandyardsbeyondtheendofthe
street.Or,ifamandepositedenoughfoodforonemealonFridayeveningatany
givenplace,thatplacetechnicallybecamehishouseandhecouldgoathousand
yardsbeyonditontheSabbathday.Therulesandregulationsandtheevasions
piledupbythehundredandthethousand.
Takethecaseofcarryingaburden.Jeremiah17:2124said:"Takeheedforthesake
ofyourlivesanddonotbearaburdenontheSabbathday."Soaburdenhadtobe
defined.Itwasdefinedas"foodequalinweighttoadriedfig,enoughwineformixing
inagoblet,milkenoughforoneswallow,honeyenoughtoputuponawound,oil
enoughtoanointasmallmember,waterenoughtomoistenaneyesalve,"andsoon
andon.IthadthentobesettledwhetherornotontheSabbathawomancouldwear
abrooch,amancouldwearawoodenlegordenturesorwoulditbecarryinga
burdentodoso?Couldachairorevenachildbelifted?Andsoonandonthe
discussionsandtheregulationswent.
ItwasthescribeswhoworkedouttheseregulationsitwasthePhariseeswho
dedicatedtheirlivestokeepingthem.Obviously,howevermisguidedamanmight
be,hemustbedesperatelyinearnestifheproposedtoundertakeobedienceto
everyoneofthethousandsofrules.ThatispreciselywhatthePhariseesdid.The
namePhariseemeanstheSeparatedOneandthePhariseeswerethosewhohad
separatedthemselvesfromallordinarylifeinordertokeepeverydetailofthelawof
thescribes.
NicodemuswasaPharisee,anditisastonishingthatamanwhoregardedgoodness
inthatlightandwhohadgivenhimselftothatkindoflifeintheconvictionthathe
waspleasingGodshouldwishtotalktoJesusatall.
(iii)NicodemuswasaruleroftheJews.Thewordisarchon(Greek#758).Thisisto
saythathewasamemberoftheSanhedrin.TheSanhedrinwasacourtofseventy
membersandwasthesupremecourtoftheJews.OfcourseundertheRomansits
powersweremorelimitedthanoncetheyhadbeenbuttheywerestillextensive.In
particulartheSanhedrinhadreligiousjurisdictionovereveryJewintheworldand
oneofitsdutieswastoexamineanddealwithanyonesuspectedofbeingafalse
prophet.AgainitisamazingthatNicodemusshouldcometoJesusatall.
(iv)ItmaywellbethatNicodemusbelongedtoadistinguishedJewishfamily.Away
backin63B.C.whentheRomansandtheJewshadbeenatwar,Aristobulus,the

Jewishleader,sentacertainNicodemusashisambassadortoPompey,theRoman
Emperor.MuchlaterintheterriblelastdaysofJerusalem,themanwhonegotiated
thesurrenderofthegarrisonwasacertainGorion,whowasthesoneitherof
NicomedesorNicodemus.Itmaywellbethatboththesemenbelongedtothesame
familyasourNicodemus,andthatitwasoneofthemostdistinguishedfamiliesin
Jerusalem.IfthatistrueitisamazingthatthisJewisharistocratshouldcometothis
homelessprophetwhohadbeenthecarpenterofNazareththathemighttalktohim
abouthissoul.
ItwasbynightthatNicodemuscametoJesus.Therewereprobablytworeasonsfor
that.
(i)Itmayhavebeenasignofcaution.Nicodemusquitefranklymaynothavewished
tocommithimselfbycomingtoJesusbyday.Wemustnotcondemnhim.The
wonderisthatwithhisbackground,hecametoJesusatall.Itwasinfinitelybetterto
comeatnightthannotatall.ItisamiracleofgracethatNicodemusovercamehis
prejudicesandhisupbringingandhiswholeviewoflifeenoughtocometoJesus.
(ii)Buttheremaybeanotherreason.Therabbisdeclaredthatthebesttimetostudy
thelawwasatnightwhenamanwasundisturbed.ThroughoutthedayJesuswas
surroundedbycrowdsofpeopleallthetime.ItmaywellbethatNicodemuscameto
Jesusbynightbecausehewantedanabsolutelyprivateandcompletelyundisturbed
timewithJesus.
Nicodemuswasapuzzledman,amanwithmanyhonoursandyetwithsomething
lackinginhislife.HecametoJesusforatalksothatsomehowinthedarknessof
thenighthemightfindlight.
THEMANWHOCAMEBYNIGHT(John3:16continued)
WhenJohnrelatesconversationsthatJesushadwithenquirers,hehasawayof
followingacertainscheme.Weseethatschemeveryclearlyhere.Theenquirer
sayssomething(John3:2).Jesusanswersinasayingthatishardtounderstand
(John3:3).Thatsayingismisunderstoodbytheenquirer(John3:4).Jesusanswers
withasayingthatisevenmoredifficulttounderstand(John3:5).Andthenthere
followsadiscourseandanexplanation.Johnusesthismethodinorderthatwemay
seementhinkingthingsoutforthemselvesandsothatwemaydothesame.
WhenNicodemuscametoJesus,hesaidthatnoonecouldhelpbeingimpressed
withthesignsandwondersthathedid.Jesus'answerwasthatitwasnotthesigns
andthewondersthatwerereallyimportanttheimportantthingwassuchachangein
aman'sinnerlifethatitcouldonlybedescribedasanewbirth.
WhenJesussaidthatamanmustbebornanewNicodemusmisunderstoodhim,and
themisunderstandingcamefromthefactthatthewordwhichtheRevisedStandard
Versiontranslatesanew,theGreekwordanothen(Greek#509),hasthreedifferent
meanings.(i)Itcanmeanfromthebeginning,completelyradically.(ii)Itcanmean
again,inthesenseofforthesecondtime.(iii)Itcanmeanfromabove,and,
therefore,fromGodItisnotpossibleforustogetallthesemeaningsintoany
Englishwordandyetallthreeofthemareinthephrasebornanew.Tobebornanew
istoundergosucharadicalchangethatitislikeanewbirthitistohavesomething
happentothesoulwhichcanonlybedescribedasbeingbornalloveragainandthe
wholeprocessisnotahumanachievement,becauseitcomesfromthegraceand
powerofGod.
Whenwereadthestory,itlooksatfirstsightasifNicodemustookthewordanewin
onlythesecondsense,andwithacrudeliteralism.Howcananyone,hesaid,enter
againintohismother'swombandbebornasecondtimewhenheisalreadyanold
man?ButthereismoretoNicodemus'answerthanthat.Inhishearttherewasa
greatunsatisfiedlonging.Itisasifhesaidwithinfinite,wistfulyearning:"Youtalk
aboutbeingbornanewyoutalkaboutthisradical,fundamentalchangewhichisso
necessary.Iknowthatitisnecessarybutinmyexperienceitisimpossible.There
isnothingIwouldlikemorebutyoumightaswelltellme,afullgrownman,toenter
intomymother'swombandbebornalloveragain."Itisnotthedesirabilityofthis
changethatNicodemusquestionedthatheknewonlytoowellitisthepossibility.
Nicodemusisupagainsttheeternalproblem,theproblemofthemanwhowantsto

bechangedandwhocannotchangehimself.
Thisphrasebornanew,thisideaofrebirth,runsallthroughtheNewTestament.
PeterspeaksofbeingbornanewbyGod'sgreatmercy(1Peter1:3)hetalksabout
beingbornanewnotofperishableseed,butofimperishable(1Peter1:2223).James
speaksofGodbringingusforthbythewordoftruth(James1:18).TheLettertoTitus
speaksofthewashingofregeneration(Titus3:5).Sometimesthissameideais
spokenofasadeathfollowedbyaresurrectionorarecreation.Paulspeaksofthe
ChristianasdyingwithChristandthenrisingtolifeanew(Romans6:111).He
speaksofthosewhohavelatelycomeintotheChristianfaithasbabesinChrist
(1Corinthians3:12).IfanymanisinChristitisasifhehadbeencreatedallover
again(2Corinthians5:17).InChristthereisanewcreation(Galatians6:15).Thenew
maniscreatedafterGodinrighteousness(Ephesians4:2224).Thepersonwhoisat
thefirstbeginningsoftheChristianfaithisachild(Hebrews5:1214).Alloverthe
NewTestamentthisideaofrebirth,recreationoccurs.
Nowthiswasnotanideawhichwasintheleaststrangetothepeoplewhohearditin
NewTestamenttimes.TheJewknewallaboutrebirth.Whenamanfromanother
faithbecameaJewandhadbeenacceptedintoJudaismbyprayerandsacrificeand
baptism,hewasregardedasbeingreborn."AproselytewhoembracesJudaism,"
saidtherabbis,"islikeanewbornchild."Soradicalwasthechangethatthesinshe
hadcommittedbeforehisreceptionwerealldoneawaywith,fornowhewasa
differentperson.Itwaseventheoreticallyarguedthatsuchamancouldmarryhis
ownmotherorhisownsister,becausehewasacompletelynewman,andalltheold
connectionswerebrokenanddestroyed.TheJewknewtheideaofrebirth.
TheGreekalsoknewtheideaofrebirthandknewitwell.Byfarthemostrealreligion
oftheGreeksatthistimewasthefaithofthemysteryreligions.Themystery
religionswereallfoundedonthestoryofsomesufferinganddyingandrisinggod.
Thisstorywasplayedoutasapassionplay.Theinitiatehadalongcourseof
preparation,instruction,asceticismandfasting.Thedramawasthenplayedoutwith
gorgeousmusic,marvelousritual,incenseandeverythingtoplayupontheemotions.
Asitwasplayedout,theworshipper'saimwastobecomeonewiththegodinsucha
waythathepassedthroughthegod'ssufferingsandsharedthegod'striumphand
thegod'sdivinelife.Themysteryreligionsofferedmysticunionwithsomegod.
Whenthatunionwasachievedtheinitiatewas,inthelanguageoftheMysteries,a
twiceborn.TheHermeticMysterieshadaspartoftheirbasicbelief:"Therecanbe
nosalvationwithoutregeneration."Apuleius,whowentthroughinitiation,saidthathe
underwent"avoluntarydeath,"andthattherebyheattained"hisspiritualbirthday,"
andwas"asitwerereborn."ManyoftheMysteryinitiationstookplaceatmidnight
whenthedaydiesandisreborn.InthePhrygian,theinitiate,afterhisinitiation,was
fedwithmilkasifhewasanewbornbabe.
Theancientworldknewallaboutrebirthandregeneration.Itlongedforitand
searchedforiteverywhere.ThemostfamousofallMysteryceremonieswasthe
taurobolium.Thecandidatewasputintoapit.Onthetopofthepittherewasa
latticeworkcover.Onthecoverabullwasslainbyhavingitsthroatcut.Theblood
poureddownandtheinitiatelifteduphisheadandbathedhimselfinthebloodand
whenhecameoutofthepithewasrenatusinaeternum,rebornforalleternity.When
Christianitycametotheworldwithamessageofrebirth,itcamewithpreciselythat
forwhichalltheworldwasseeking.
What,then,doesthisrebirthmeanforus?IntheNewTestament,andespeciallyin
theFourthGospel,therearefourcloselyinterrelatedideas.Thereistheideaof
rebirththereistheideaofthekingdomofheaven,intowhichamancannotenter
unlessheisrebornthereistheideaofsonshipofGodandthereistheideaof
eternallife.Thisideaofbeingrebornisnotsomethingwhichispeculiartothe
thoughtoftheFourthGospel.InMatthewwehavethesamegreattruthputmore
simplyandmorevividly:"Unlessyouturnandbecomelikechildren,youwillnever
enterthekingdomofheaven"(Matthew18:3).Alltheseideashaveacommon
thoughtbehindthem.
BORNAGAIN(John3:16continued)
Letusstartwiththekingdomofheaven.Whatdoesitmean?Wegetourbest
definitionofitfromtheLord'sPrayer.Therearetwopetitionssidebyside:

ThyKingdomcome:
Thywillbedoneinearthasitisinheaven.
ItischaracteristicofJewishstyletosaythingstwice,thesecondwayexplaining
andamplifyingthefirst.AnyverseofthePsalmswillshowusthisJewishhabitof
whatistechnicallyknownasparallelism:
TheLordofhostsiswithus:
TheGodofJacobisourrefuge(Psalms46:7).
ForIknowmytransgressions:
Andmysiniseverbeforeme(Psalms51:3).
Hemakesmeliedowningreenpastures:
Heleadsmebesidestillwaters(Psalms23:2).
LetusapplythatprincipletothesetwopetitionsintheLord'sPrayer.Thesecond
petitionamplifiesandexplainsthefirstwethenarriveatthedefinition:thekingdom
ofheavenisasocietywhereGod'swillisasperfectlydoneonearthasitisin
heaven.Tobeinthekingdomofheavenisthereforetoleadalifeinwhichwehave
willinglysubmittedeverythingtothewillofGoditistohavearrivedatastagewhen
weperfectlyandcompletelyacceptthewillofGod.
Nowletustakesonship.Inonesensesonshipisatremendousprivilege.Tothose
whobelievethereisgiventhepowertobecomesons(John1:12).Butthevery
essenceofsonshipisnecessarilyobedience."Hewhohascommandments,and
keepsthem,heitiswholovesme"(John14:21).Theessenceofsonshipislove
andtheessenceofloveisobedience.Wecannotwithanyrealitysaythatwelovea
personandthendothingswhichhurtandgrievethatperson'sheart.Sonshipisa
privilege,butaprivilegewhichisenteredintoonlywhenfullobedienceisgiven.So
thentobeasonofGodandtobeinthekingdomareoneandthesamething.The
sonofGodandthecitizenofthekingdomarebothpeoplewhohavecompletelyand
willinglyacceptedthewillofGod.
Nowletustakeeternallife.Itisfarbettertospeakofeternallifethantospeakof
everlastinglife.Themainideabehindeternallifeisnotsimplythatofduration.Itis
quiteclearthatalifewhichwentonforevercouldjustaseasilybehellasheaven.
Theideabehindeternallifeistheideaofacertainqualityoflife.Whatkind?Thereis
onlyonepersonwhocanproperlybedescribedbythisadjectiveeternal(aionios,
Greek#166)andthatonepersonisGod.EternallifeisthekindoflifethatGodlives
itisGod'slife.Toenterintoeternallifeistoenterintopossessionofthatkindoflife
whichisthelifeofGod.Itistobeliftedupabovemerelyhuman,transientthingsinto
thatjoyandpeacewhichbelongonlytoGod.Clearlyamancanenterintothisclose
fellowshipwithGodonlywhenherenderstohimthatlove,thatreverence,that
devotion,thatobediencewhichtrulybringhimintofellowshipwithhim.
Herethenwehavethreegreatkindredconceptions,entryintothekingdomof
heaven,sonshipofGodandeternallifeandallaredependentonandarethe
productsofperfectobediencetothewillofGod.Itisjustherethattheideaofbeing
reborncomesin.Itiswhatlinksallthesethreeconceptionstogether.Itisquiteclear
that,asweareandinourownstrength,wearequiteunabletorendertoGodthis
perfectobedienceitisonlywhenGod'sgraceentersintousandtakespossession
ofusandchangesusthatwecangivetohimthereverenceandthedevotionwe
oughttogive.ItisthroughJesusChristthatwearerebornitiswhenheentersinto
possessionofourheartsandlivesthatthechangecomes.
WhenthathappenswearebornofwaterandtheSpirit.Therearetwothoughtsthere.
Wateristhesymbolofcleansing.WhenJesustakespossessionofourlives,when
welovehimwithallourheart,thesinsofthepastareforgivenandforgotten.The
Spiritisthesymbolofpower.WhenJesustakespossessionofourlivesitisnot
onlythatthepastisforgottenandforgivenifthatwereall,wemightwellproceedto
makethesamemessoflifealloveragainbutintolifethereentersanewpower
whichenablesustobewhatbyourselveswecouldneverbeandtodowhatby

ourselveswecouldneverdo.WaterandtheSpiritstandforthecleansingandthe
strengtheningpowerofChrist,whichwipesoutthepastandgivesvictoryinthe
future.
Finally,inthispassage,Johnlaysdownagreatlaw.Thatwhichisbornoftheflesh
isfleshandthatwhichisbornoftheSpiritisspirit.Amanbyhimselfisfleshandhis
powerislimitedtowhatthefleshcando.Byhimselfhecannotbeotherthan
defeatedandfrustratedthatweknowonlytoowellitistheuniversalfactofhuman
experience.ButtheveryessenceoftheSpiritispowerandlifewhicharebeyond
humanpowerandhumanlifeandwhentheSpirittakespossessionofus,the
defeatedlifeofhumannaturebecomesthevictoriouslifeofGod.
Tobebornagainistobechangedinsuchawaythatitcanbedescribedonlyas
rebirthandrecreation.ThechangecomeswhenweloveJesusandallowhiminto
ourhearts.ThenweareforgivenforthepastandarmedbytheSpiritforthefuture
thenwecantrulyacceptthewillofGod.Andthenwebecomecitizensofthe
kingdomthenwebecomesonsofGodthenweenterintoeternallife,whichisthe
verylifeofGod.
THEDUTYTOKNOWANDTHERIGHTTOSPEAK(John3:713)
3:713DonotbesurprisedthatIsaidtoyou:"Youmustbe
rebornfromabove.Thewindblowswhereitwill,andyouhear
thesoundofit,butyoudonotknowwhenceitcomesand
whitheritgoes.SoiseveryonethatisbornoftheSpirit."
Nicodemusanswered:"Howcanthesethingshappen?"Jesus
answered:"Areyouthemanwhomeveryoneregardsasthe
teacherofIsrael,andyoudonotunderstandthesethings?This
isthetruthItellyouwespeakwhatweknow,andwebear
witnesstowhatwehaveseenbutyoudonotreceiveour
witness.IfIhavespokentoyouofearthlythingsandyoudonot
believeme,howwillyoubelievemeifIspeaktoyouabout
heavenlythings."Noonehasgoneuptoheaven,excepthewho
camedownfromheaven,Imean,theSonofMan,whoisin
heaven.
Therearetwokindsofmisunderstanding.Thereisthemisunderstandingoftheman
whomisunderstandsbecausehehasnotyetreachedastageofknowledgeandof
experienceatwhichheisabletograspthetruth.Whenamanisinthatstateour
dutyistodoallthatwecantoexplainthingstohimsothathewillbeabletograsp
theknowledgewhichisbeingofferedtohim.Thereisalsothemisunderstandingof
themanwhoisunwillingtounderstandthereisafailuretoseewhichcomesfrom
therefusaltosee.Amancandeliberatelyshuthismindtotruthwhichhedoesnot
wishtoaccept.
Nicodemuswaslikethat.TheteachingaboutanewbirthfromGodshouldnothave
beenstrangetohim.Ezekiel,forinstance,hadspokenrepeatedlyaboutthenew
heartthatmustbecreatedinaman."Castawayfromyouallthetransgressions,
whichyouhavecommittedagainstme,andgetyourselvesanewheartandanew
spirit!Whywillyoudie,OhouseofIsrael?"(Ezekiel18:31)."AnewheartIwillgive
you,andanewspiritIwillputwithinyou"(Ezekiel36:26).Nicodemuswasanexpert
inscriptureandagainandagaintheprophetshadspokenofthatveryexperienceof
whichJesuswasspeaking.Ifamandoesnotwishtobereborn,hewilldeliberately
misunderstandwhatrebirthmeans.Ifamandoesnotwishtobechanged,hewill
deliberatelyshuthiseyesandhismindandhishearttothepowerwhichcanchange
him.Inthelastanalysiswhatisthematterwithsomanyofusissimplythefact
that,whenJesusChristcomeswithhisoffertochangeusandrecreateus,wemore
orlesssay:"Nothankyou:IamquitesatisfiedwithmyselfasIam,andIdon'twant
tobechanged."
Nicodemuswasdrivenbackonanotherdefence.Ineffecthesaid:"Thisrebirth
aboutwhichyoutalkmaybepossiblebutIcan'tunderstandhowitworks."The
answerofJesusdependsforitspointonthefactthattheGreekwordforspirit,
pneuma(Greek#4151),hastwomeanings.Itisthewordforspirit,butitisalsothe
regularwordforwind.ThesameistrueoftheHebrewwordruach(Hebrew#7307)it
toomeansbothspiritandwind.SoJesussaidtoNicodemus:"Youcanhearandsee

andfeelthewind(pneuma,Greek#4151)butyoudonotknowwhereitcomesfrom
orwhereitisgoingto.Youmaynotunderstandhowandwhythewindblowsbutyou
canseewhatitdoes.Youmaynotunderstandwhereagalecamefromorwhereitis
goingto,butyoucanseethetrailofflattenedfieldsanduprootedtreesthatitleaves
behindit.Therearemanythingsaboutthewindyoumaynotunderstandbutits
effectisplainforalltosee."Hewenton,"theSpirit(pneuma,Greek#4151)is
exactlythesame.YoumaynotknowhowtheSpiritworksbutyoucanseethe
effectoftheSpiritinhumanlives."
Jesussaid:"Thisisnotheoreticalthingofwhichwearespeaking.Wearetalkingof
whatwehaveactuallyseen.Wecanpointtomanaftermanwhohasbeenrebornby
thepoweroftheSpirit."Dr.JohnHuttonusedtotellofaworkmanwhohadbeena
drunkenreprobateandwasconverted.Hisworkmatesdidtheirbesttomakehim
feelafool."Surely,"theysaidtohim,"youcan'tbelieveinmiraclesandthingslike
that.Surely,forinstance,youdon'tbelievethatJesusturnedwaterintowine.""I
don'tknow,"themananswered,"whetherheturnedwaterintowinewhenhewasin
Palestine,butIdoknowthatinmyownhouseandhomehehasturnedbeerinto
furniture!"
Thereareanynumberofthingsinthisworldwhichweuseeverydaywithoutknowing
howtheywork.Comparativelyfewofusknowhowelectricityorradioortelevision
worksbutwedonotdenythattheyexistbecauseofthat.Manyofusdrivean
automobilewithonlythehaziestnotionofwhatgoesonbelowitshoodbutourlack
ofunderstandingdoesnotpreventususingandenjoyingthebenefitswhichan
automobileconfers.WemaynotunderstandhowtheSpiritworksbuttheeffectof
theSpiritonthelivesofmenisthereforalltosee.Theunanswerableargumentfor
ChristianityistheChristianlife.Nomancandisregardafaithwhichisabletomake
badmengood.
JesussaidtoNicodemus:"IhavetriedtomakethingssimpleforyouIhaveused
simplehumanpicturestakenfromeverydaylifeandyouhavenotunderstood.How
canyoueverexpecttounderstandthedeepthings,ifeventhesimplethingsare
beyondyou?"Thereisawarninghereforeveryoneofus.Itiseasytositin
discussiongroups,tositinastudyandtoreadbooks,itiseasytodiscussthe
intellectualtruthofChristianitybuttheessentialthingistoexperiencethepowerof
Christianity.AnditisfatallyeasytostartatthewrongendandtothinkofChristianity
assomethingtobediscussed,notassomethingtobeexperienced.Itiscertainly
importanttohaveanintellectualgraspoftheorbofChristiantruthbutitisstillmore
importanttohaveavitalexperienceofthepowerofJesusChrist.Whenaman
undergoestreatmentfromadoctor,whenhehastohaveanoperation,whenheis
givensomemedicinetotake,hedoesnotneedtoknowtheanatomyofthehuman
body,thescientificeffectoftheanaesthetic,thewayinwhichthedrugworksonhis
body,inordertobecured.99menoutofevery100acceptthecurewithoutbeing
abletosayhowitwasbroughtabout.ThereisasenseinwhichChristianityislike
that.Atitsheartthereisamystery,butitisnotthemysteryofintellectual
appreciationitisthemysteryofredemption.
InreadingtheFourthGospelthereisthedifficultyofknowingwhenthewordsof
Jesusstopandthewordsofthewriterofthegospelbegin.Johnhasthoughtsolong
aboutthewordsofJesusthatinsensiblyheglidesfromthemtohisownthoughts
aboutthem.AlmostcertainlythelastwordsofthispassagearethewordsofJohn.It
isasifsomeoneasked:"WhatrighthasJesustosaythesethings?Whatguarantee
dowehavethattheyaretrue?"John'sanswerissimpleandprofound."Jesus,"he
says,"camedownfromheaventotellusthetruthofGod.And,whenhehad
companiedwithmenanddiedforthem,hereturnedtohisglory."ItwasJohn's
contentionthatJesus'righttospeakcamefromthefactthatheknewGod
personally,thathehadcomedirectfromthesecretsofheaventoearth,thatwhathe
saidtomenwasmostliterallyGod'sowntruth,forJesuswasandistheembodied
mindofGod.
THEUPLIFTEDCHRIST(John3:1415)
3:1415AndasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,so
theSonofManmustbeliftedup,thateveryonewhobelieves
inhimmayhaveeternallife.

JohngoesbacktoastrangeOldTestamentstorywhichistoldinNumbers21:49.
OntheirjourneythroughthewildernessthepeopleofIsraelmurmuredand
complainedandregrettedthattheyhadeverleftEgypt.TopunishthemGodsenta
plagueofdeadly,fieryserpentsthepeoplerepentedandcriedformercy.God
instructedMosestomakeanimageofaserpentandtoholditupinthemidstofthe
campandthosewholookedupontheserpentwerehealed.Thatstorymuch
impressedtheIsraelites.Theytoldhowinlatertimesthatbrazenserpentbecamean
idolandinthedaysofHezekiahhadtobedestroyedbecausepeoplewere
worshippingit(2Kings18:4).TheJewsthemselveswerealwaysalittlepuzzledby
thisincidentinviewofthefactthattheywereabsolutelyforbiddentomakegraven
images.Therabbisexplaineditthisway:"Itwasnottheserpentthatgavelife.So
longasMoseslifteduptheserpent,theybelievedonhimwhohadcommanded
Mosestoactthus.ItwasGodwhohealedthem."Thehealingpowerlaynotinthe
brazenserpentitwasonlyasymboltoturntheirthoughtstoGodandwhentheydid
thattheywerehealed.
JohntookthatoldstoryanduseditasakindofparableofJesus.Hesays:"The
serpentwasliftedupmenlookedatittheirthoughtswereturnedtoGodandbythe
powerofthatgodinwhomtheytrustedtheywerehealed.EvensoJesusmustbe
liftedupandwhenmenturntheirthoughtstohim,andbelieveinhim,theytoowill
findeternallife."
Thereisawonderfullysuggestivethinghere.Theverbtoliftupishupsoun(Greek
#5312).ThestrangethingisthatitisusedofJesusintwosenses.Itisusedofhis
beingliftedupupontheCrossanditisusedofhisbeingliftedupintogloryatthe
timeofhisascensionintoheaven.ItisusedoftheCrossinJohn8:28John12:32.
ItisusedofJesus'ascensionintogloryinActs2:33Acts5:31Philippians2:9.
TherewasadoubleliftingupinJesus'lifetheliftingontheCrossandtheliftinginto
glory.Andthetwoareinextricablyconnected.Theonecouldnothavehappened
withouttheother.ForJesustheCrosswasthewaytogloryhadherefusedit,had
heevadedit,hadhetakenstepstoescapeit,ashemightsoeasilyhavedone,
therewouldhavebeennogloryforhim.Itisthesameforus.Wecan,ifwelike,
choosetheeasywaywecan,ifwelike,refusethecrossthateveryChristianis
calledtobearbutifwedo,welosetheglory.Itisanunalterablelawoflifethatif
thereisnocross,thereisnocrown.
Inthispassagewehavetwoexpressionswhosemeaningwemustface.Itwillnotbe
possibletoextractalltheirmeaning,becausetheybothmeanmorethaneverwecan
discoverbutwemusttrytograspatleastsomethingofit.
(i)ThereisthephrasewhichspeaksofbelievinginJesus.Itmeansatleastthree
things.
(a)ItmeansbelievingwithallourheartsthatGodisasJesusdeclaredhimtobe.It
meansbelievingthatGodlovesus,thatGodcaresforus,thatGodwantsnothing
morethantoforgiveus.ItwasnoteasyforaJewtobelievethat.HelookedonGod
asonewhoimposedhislawsuponhispeopleandpunishedthemiftheybrokethem.
HelookedonGodasajudgeandonmanasacriminalathisjudgmentseat.He
lookedonGodasonewhodemandedsacrificesandofferingstogetintohis
presencemanhadtopaythepricelaiddown.ItwashardtothinkofGodnotasa
judgewaitingtoexactpenalty,notasataskmasterwaitingtopounce,butasa
Fatherwholongedfornothingsomuchastohavehiserringchildrencomeback
home.ItcostthelifeandthedeathofJesustotellmenthat.Andwecannotbeginto
beChristiansuntilwithallourheartswebelievethat.
(b)HowcanwebesurethatJesusknewwhathewastalkingabout?Whatguarantee
istherethathiswonderfulgoodnewsistrue?Herewecomeuponthesecondarticle
inbelief.WemustbelievethatJesusistheSonofGod,thatinhimisthemindof
God,thatheknewGodsowell,wassoclosetoGod,wassoonewithGod,thathe
couldtenustheabsolutetruthabouthim.
(c)Butbeliefhasathirdelement.WebelievethatGodisalovingFatherbecausewe
believethatJesusistheSonofGodandthatthereforewhathesaysaboutGodis
true.Thencomesthisthirdelement.Wemuststakeeverythingonthefactthatwhat
Jesussaysistrue.Whateverhesayswemustdowheneverhecommandswemust
obey.WhenhetellsustocastourselvesunreservedlyonthemercyofGodwemust

doso.WemusttakeJesusathisword.Everysmallestactioninlifemustbedonein
unquestioningobediencetohim.
SothenbeliefinJesushasthesethreeelementsbeliefthatGodisourloving
Father,beliefthatJesusisthesonofGodandthereforetellsusthetruthaboutGod
andlife,andunswervingandunquestioningobediencetoJesus.
(ii)Thesecondgreatphraseiseternallife.Wehavealreadyseenthateternallifeis
theverylifeofGodhimself.Butletusaskthis:ifwepossesseternallife,whatdo
wehave?Ifweenterintoeternallife,whatisitlike?Tohaveeternallifeenvelops
everyrelationshipinlifewithpeace.
(a)ItgivesuspeacewithGod.Wearenolongercringingbeforeatyrannicalkingor
seekingtohidefromanausterejudge.WeareathomewithourFather.
(b)Itgivesuspeacewithmen.Ifwehavebeenforgivenwemustbeforgiving.It
enablesustoseemenasGodseesthem.Itmakesusandallmenintoonegreat
familyjoinedinlove.
(c)Itgivesuspeacewithlife.IfGodisFather,Godisworkingallthingstogetherfor
good.LessingusedtosaythatifhehadonequestiontoasktheSphinx,whoknew
everything,itwouldbe:"Isthisafriendlyuniverse?"WhenwebelievethatGodis
Father,wealsobelievethatsuchafather'shandwinnevercausehischilda
needlesstear.Wemaynotunderstandlifeanybetter,butwewillnotresentlifeany
longer.
(d)Itgivesuspeacewithourselves.Inthelastanalysisamanismoreafraidof
himselfthanofanythingelse.Heknowshisownweaknessheknowstheforceof
hisowntemptationsheknowshisowntasksandthedemandsofhisownlife.But
nowheknowsthatheisfacingitallwithGod.ItisnothewholivesbutChristwho
livesinhim.Thereisapeacefoundedonstrengthinhislife.
(e)Itmakeshimcertainthatthedeepestpeaceonearthisonlyashadowofthe
ultimatepeacewhichistocome.Itgiveshimahopeandagoaltowhichhetravels.
Itgiveshimalifeofgloriouswonderhereandyet,atthesametime,alifeinwhich
thebestisyettobe.
THELOVEOFGOD(John3:16)
3:16ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySonso
thateveryonewhobelievesinhimshouldnotperishbuthave
everlastinglife.
Allgreatmenhavehadtheirfavouritetextsbutthishasbeencalled"Everybody's
text."Hereinforeverysimpleheartistheveryessenceofthegospel.Thistexttells
uscertaingreatthings.
(i)IttellsusthattheinitiativeinallsalvationlieswithGod.SometimesChristianityis
presentedinsuchawaythatitsoundsasifGodhadtobepacified,asifhehadto
bepersuadedtoforgive.Sometimesmenspeakasiftheywoulddrawapictureofa
stern,angry,unforgivingGodandagentle,loving,forgivingJesus.Sometimesmen
presenttheChristianmessageinsuchawaythatitsoundsasifJesusdid
somethingwhichchangedtheattitudeofGodtomenfromcondemnationto
forgiveness.ButthistexttellsusthatitwaswithGodthatitallstarted.ItwasGod
whosenthisSon,andhesenthimbecausehelovedmen.Atthebackofeverything
istheloveofGod.
(ii)IttellsusthatthemainspringofGod'sbeingislove.ItiseasytothinkofGodas
lookingatmenintheirheedlessnessandtheirdisobedienceandtheirrebellionand
saying:"I'llbreakthem:I'lldisciplinethemandpunishthemandscourgethemuntil
theycomeback."ItiseasytothinkofGodasseekingtheallegianceofmeninorder
tosatisfyhisowndesireforpowerandforwhatwemightcallacompletelysubject
universe.ThetremendousthingaboutthistextisthatitshowsusGodactingnotfor
hisownsake,butforours,nottosatisfyhisdesireforpower,nottobringauniverse
toheel,buttosatisfyhislove.Godisnotlikeanabsolutemonarchwhotreatseach
manasasubjecttobereducedtoabjectobedience.GodistheFatherwhocannot

behappyuntilhiswanderingchildrenhavecomehome.Goddoesnotsmashmen
intosubmissionheyearnsoverthemandwoosthemintolove.
(iii)IttellsusofthewidthoftheloveofGod.ItwastheworldthatGodsoloved.It
wasnotanationitwasnotthegoodpeopleitwasnotonlythepeoplewholoved
himitwastheworld.Theunlovableandtheunlovely,thelonelywhohavenoone
elsetolovethem,themanwholovesGodandthemanwhoneverthinksofhim,the
manwhorestsintheloveofGodandthemanwhospurnsitallareincludedinthis
vastinclusiveloveofGod.AsAugustinehadit:"Godloveseachoneofusasif
therewasonlyoneofustolove."
LOVEANDJUDGMENT(John3:1721)
3:1721ForGoddidnotsendhissonintotheworldtocondemn
theworld,butthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim.He
whobelievesinhimisnotcondemned,buthewhodoesnot
believealreadystandscondemned.Andthisisthereasonof
thiscondemnationthelightcameintotheworldandmenloved
thedarknessratherthanthelight,fortheirdeedswereevil.
Everyoneofwhosedeedsaredepravedhatesthelight,and
doesnotcometothelight,buthisdeedsstandconvicted.But
hewhoputsthetruthintoactioncomestothelight,thathis
deedsmaybemadeplainforalltosee,becausetheyaredone
inGod.
HerewearefacedwithoneotherapparentparadoxoftheFourthGospeltheparadox
ofloveandjudgment.WehavejustbeenthinkingoftheloveofGod,andnow
suddenlyweareconfrontedwithjudgmentandcondemnationandconviction.John
hasjustsaidthatitwasbecauseGodsolovedtheworldthathesenthisSoninto
theworld.LaterhewillgoontoshowusJesussaying:"ForjudgmentIcameinto
thisworld"(John9:39).Howcanboththingsbetrue?
Itisquitepossibletoofferamananexperienceinnothingbutloveandforthat
experiencetoturnoutajudgment.Itisquitepossibletoofferamananexperience
whichismeanttodonothingbutbringjoyandblissandyetforthatexperienceto
turnoutajudgment.SupposewelovegreatmusicandgetnearertoGodinthemidst
ofthesurgeandthunderofagreatsymphonythananywhereelse.Supposewehave
afriendwhodoesnotknowanythingaboutsuchmusicandwewishtointroducehim
tothisgreatexperience,toshareitwithhim,andgivehimthiscontactwiththe
invisiblebeautywhichweourselvesenjoy.Wehavenoaimotherthantogiveour
friendthehappinessofagreatnewexperience.Wetakehimtoasymphonyconcert
andinaveryshorttimeheisfidgetingandgazingaroundthehail,extremelybored.
Thatfriendhaspassedjudgmentonhimselfthathehasnomusicinhissoul.The
experiencedesignedtobringhimnewhappinesshasbecomeonlyajudgment.
Thisalwayshappenswhenweconfrontamanwithgreatness.Wemaytakehimto
seesomegreatmasterpieceofartwemaytakehimtolistentoaprinceof
preacherswemaygivehimagreatbooktoreadwemaytakehimtogazeupon
somebeauty.Hisreactionisajudgmentifhefindsnobeautyandnothrillweknow
thathehasablindspotinhissoul.Avisitorwasbeingshownroundanartgalleryby
oneoftheattendants.Inthatgallerytherewerecertainmasterpiecesbeyondall
price,possessionsofeternalbeautyandunquestionedgenius.Attheendofthetour
thevisitorsaid:"Well,Idon'tthinkmuchofyouroldpictures."Theattendant
answeredquietly:"Sir,Iwouldremindyouthatthesepicturesarenolongerontrial,
butthosewholookatthemare."Allthattheman'sreactionhaddonewastoshow
hisownpitiableblindness.
ThisissowithregardtoJesus.If,whenamanisconfrontedwithJesus,hissoul
respondstothatwonderandbeauty,heisonthewaytosalvation.Butif,whenheis
confrontedwithJesus,heseesnothinglovely,hestandscondemned.Hisreaction
hascondemnedhim.GodsentJesusinlove.Hesenthimforthatman'ssalvation
butthatwhichwassentinlovehasbecomeacondemnation.ItisnotGodwhohas
condemnedthemanGodonlylovedhimthemanhascondemnedhimself.
ThemanwhoreactsinhostilitytoJesushaslovedthedarknessratherthanthe
light.Theterriblethingaboutareallygoodpersonisthathealwayshasacertain

unconsciouselementofcondemnationinhim.Itiswhenwecompareourselveswith
himthatweseeourselvesasweare.Alcibiades,thespoiltAthenianmanofgenius,
wasacompanionofSocratesandeverynowandagainheusedtobreakout:
"Socrates,Ihateyou,foreverytimeImeetyou,youletmeseewhatIam."The
manwhoisengagedonaneviltaskdoesnotwantafloodoflightshedonitand
himbutthemanengagedonanhonourabletaskdoesnotfearthelight.
OnceanarchitectcametoPlatoandofferedforacertainsumofmoneytobuildhim
ahouseintononeofwhoseroomsitwouldbepossibletosee.Platosaid:"Iwillgive
youdoublethemoneytobuildahouseintowhoseeveryroomeveryonecansee."It
isonlytheevildoerwhodoesnotwishtoseehimselfandwhodoesnotwishanyone
elsetoseehim.SuchamanwillinevitablyhateJesusChrist,forChristwillshow
himwhatheisandthatisthelastthingthathewantstosee.Itistheconcealing
darknessthathelovesandnottherevealinglight.
ByhisreactiontoJesusChrist,amanstandsrevealedandhissoullaidbare.Ifhe
regardsChristwithlove,evenwithwistfulyearning,forhimthereishopebutifin
Christheseesnothingattractivehehascondemnedhimself.Hewhowassentin
lovehasbecometohimjudgment.
AMANWITHOUTENVY(John3:2230)
3:2230AfterthesethingsJesusandhisdiscipleswenttothe
districtofJudaea.Hespentsometimetherewiththem,andhe
wasbaptizingandJohnwasbaptizingatAinon,nearSalem,
becausetherewasmuchwaterthere.Thepeoplekeptcoming
tohimandbeingbaptized,forJohnhadnotyetbeenthrowninto
prison.AdiscussionarosebetweensomeofJohn'sdisciples
andaJewaboutthematterofcleansing.SotheycametoJohn
andsaidtohim:"Rabbi,looknow!Themanwhowaswithyou
ontheothersideofJordan,themantowhomyouboreyour
witness,isbaptizingandtheyareallgoingtohim."John
answered:"Amancanreceiveonlywhatisgiventohimfrom
heaven.YouyourselvescantestifythatIsaid,'Iamnotthe
AnointedOneofGod,'but,'Ihavebeensentbeforehim.'He
whohasthebrideisthebridegroom.Butthefriendofthe
bridegroomwhostandsandlistensforhim,rejoicesatthe
soundofthevoiceofthebridegroom.So,then,myjoyis
complete.Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease."
WehavealreadyseenthatpartoftheaimofthewriteroftheFourthGospelisto
ensurethatJohntheBaptistreceivedhisproperplaceastheforerunnerofJesus,
butnohigherplacethanthat.TherewerethosewhowerestillreadytocallJohn
masterandlordthewriteroftheFourthGospelwishestoshowthatJohnhadahigh
place,butthatthehighestplacewasreservedforJesusaloneandhealsowishes
toshowthatJohnhimselfhadneveranyotherideathanthatJesuswassupreme.
TothatendheshowsustheministryofJohnandtheministryofJesusoverlapping.
Thesynopticgospelsaredifferent:Mark1:14tellsusthatitwasafterJohnwasput
intoprisonthatJesusbeganhisministry.Weneednotarguewhichaccountis
historicallycorrectbutthelikelihoodisthattheFourthGospelmakesthetwo
ministriesoverlapsothatbycontrastthesupremacyofJesusmaybeclearlyshown.
OnethingiscertainthispassageshowsusthelovelinessofthehumilityofJohnthe
Baptist.ItwasclearthatmenwereleavingJohnforJesus.John'sdiscipleswere
worried.Theydidnotliketoseetheirmastertakesecondplace.Theydidnotliketo
seehimabandonedwhilethecrowdsflockedouttohearandseethisnewteacher.
Inanswertotheircomplaints,itwouldhavebeenveryeasyforJohntofeelinjured,
neglectedandunjustifiablyforgotten.Sometimesafriend'ssympathycanbethe
worstpossiblethingforus.Itcanmakeusfeelsorryforourselvesandencourageus
tothinkthatwehavenothadafairdeal.ButJohnhadamindabovethat.Hetoldhis
disciplesthreethings.
(i)Hetoldthemthathehadneverexpectedanythingelse.Hetoldthemthatinpoint
offacthehadassuredthemthathiswasnottheleadingplace,butthathewas
merelysentastheherald,theforerunnerandthepreparerforthegreateroneto

come.Itwouldeaselifeagreatdealifmorepeoplewerepreparedtoplaythe
subordinaterole.Somanypeoplelookforgreatthingstodo.Johnwasnotlikethat.
HeknewwellthatGodhadgivenhimasubordinatetask.Itwouldsaveusalotof
resentmentandheartbreakifwerealizedthattherearecertainthingswhicharenot
forus,andifweacceptedwithallourheartsanddidwithallourmighttheworkthat
Godhasgivenustodo.TodoasecondarytaskforGodmakesitagreattask.As
Mrs.Browninghadit:"AllserviceranksthesamewithGod."AnytaskdoneforGod
isnecessarilygreat.
(ii)HetoldthemthatnomancouldreceivemorethanGodgavehim.Ifthenew
teacherwaswinningmorefollowersitwasnotbecausehewasstealingthemfrom
John,butbecauseGodwasgivingthemtohim.TherewasacertainAmerican
ministercalledDr.Spenceoncehewaspopularandhischurchwasfullbutasthe
yearspassedhispeopledriftedaway.Tothechurchacrosstheroadcameanew
youngministerwhowasattractingthecrowds.OneeveninginDr.Spence'schurch
therewasaverysmallgathering.Thedoctorlookedatthelittleflock."Wherehave
allthepeoplegone?"heasked.Therewasanembarrassedsilencethenoneofhis
officebearerssaid:"Ithinktheyhavegonetothechurchacrossthestreettohear
thenewminister."Dr.Spencewassilentforamomentthenhesmiled."Well,then,"
hesaid,"Ithinkweoughttofollowthem."Andhedescendedfromhispulpitandled
hispeopleacrosstheroad.Whatjealousies,whatheartburnings,whatresentfulness
wemightescape,ifwewouldonlyrememberthatsomeoneelse'ssuccessisgiven
tohimbyGod,andwerepreparedtoacceptGod'sverdictandGod'schoice.
(iii)Finally,JohnusedaveryvividpicturewhicheveryJewwouldrecognize,forit
waspartoftheheritageofJewishthought.HecalledJesusthebridegroomand
himselfthefriendofthebridegroom.OneofthegreatpicturesoftheOldTestament
isofIsraelasthebrideofGodandGodasthebridegroomofIsrael.Theunion
betweenGodandIsraelwassoclosethatitcouldbelikenedonlytoawedding.
WhenIsraelwentafterstrangegodsitwasasifshewereguiltyofinfidelitytothe
marriagebond(Exodus34:15compareDeuteronomy31:16Psalms73:27Isaiah
54:5).TheNewTestamenttookthispictureoverandspokeofthechurchasthe
brideofChrist(2Corinthians11:2Ephesians5:2232).Itwasthispicturethatwasin
John'smind.JesushadcomefromGodhewastheSonofGod,Israelwashis
rightfulbrideandhewasIsrael'sbridegroom.ButoneplaceJohndidclaimfor
himself,thatofthefriendofthebridegroom.
Thefriendofthebridegroom,theshoshben,hadauniqueplaceataJewishwedding.
Heactedastheliaisonbetweenthebrideandthebridegroomhearrangedthe
weddinghetookouttheinvitationshepresidedattheweddingfeast.Hebrought
thebrideandthebridegroomtogether.Andhehadonespecialduty.Itwashisduty
toguardthebridalchamberandtoletnofalseloverin.Hewouldopenthedooronly
wheninthedarkheheardthebridegroom'svoiceandrecognizedit.Whenheheard
thebridegroom'svoicehelethiminandwentawayrejoicing,forhistaskwas
completedandtheloversweretogether.Hedidnotgrudgethebridegroomthebride.
Heknewthathisonlytaskhadbeentobringbrideandbridegroomtogether.And
whenthattaskwasdonehewillinglyandgladlyfadedoutofthecentreofthepicture.
John'staskhadbeentobringIsraelandJesustogethertoarrangethemarriage
betweenChristthebridegroomandIsraelthebride.Thattaskcompletedhewas
happytofadeintoobscurityforhisworkwasdone.Itwasnotwithenvythathesaid
thatJesusmustincreaseandhemustdecreaseitwaswithjoy.Itmaybethat
sometimeswewoulddowelltorememberthatitisnottoourselveswemusttryto
attachpeopleitistoJesusChrist.Itisnotforourselvesweseektheloyaltyof
menitisforhim.
THEONEFROMHEAVEN(John3:3136)
3:3136Hewhocomesfromaboveisaboveall.Hewhoisfrom
theearthisfromtheearthandspeaksfromtheearth.Hewho
comesfromheavenisaboveall.Itistowhathehasseenand
heardthathebearswitnessandnoonereceiveshiswitness.
Hewhohasreceivedhiswitnesssetshissealonthefactthat
Godistrue.HewhomGodsentspeaksthewordsofGod,forhe
doesnotpartiallymeasureouttheSpirituponhim.TheFather
lovestheSonandhasgivenallthingsintohishand.Hewho

believesintheSonhaseternallife.Hewhodoesnotbelievein
theSonwillnotseelife,butthewrathofGodrestsuponhim.
Aswehaveseenbefore,oneofthedifficultiesintheFourthGospelistoknowwhen
thecharactersarespeakingandwhenJohnisaddinghisowncommentary.These
versesmaybethewordsofJohntheBaptistbutmorelikelytheyarethewitness
andthecommentofJohntheevangelist.
JohnbeginsbyassertingthesupremacyofJesus.Ifwewantinformation,wehave
togotothepersonwhopossessesthatinformation.Ifwewantinformationabouta
family,wewillgetitatfirsthandonlyfromamemberofthatfamily.Ifwewant
informationaboutatownwewillgetitatfirsthandonlyfromsomeonewhocomes
fromthattown.So,then,ifwewantinformationaboutGod,wewillgetitonlyfrom
theSonofGodandifwewantinformationaboutheavenandheaven'slife,wewill
getitonlyfromhimwhocomesfromheaven.WhenJesusspeaksaboutGodand
abouttheheavenlythings,saysJohn,itisnocarriedstory,nosecondhandtale,no
informationfromasecondarysourcehetellsusthatwhichhehimselfhasseenand
heard.Toputitverysimply,becauseJesusaloneknowsGod,healonecangiveus
thefactsaboutGod,andthesefactsarethegospel.
ItisJohn'sgriefthatsofewacceptthemessagethatJesusbroughtbutwhena
mandoesacceptit,heatteststhefactthatinhisbeliefthewordofGodistrue.In
theancientworld,ifamanwishedtogivehisfullapprovaltoadocument,suchasa
willoranagreementoraconstitution,heaffixedhissealtothefootofit.Theseal
wasthesignthatheagreedwiththisandregardeditasbindingandtrue.Sowhena
manacceptsthemessageofJesus,heaffirmsandatteststhathebelieveswhat
Godsaysistrue.
Johngoeson:wecanbelievewhatJesussays,becauseonhimGodpouredoutthe
Spiritinfullmeasure,keepingnothingback.EventheJewsthemselvessaidthatthe
prophetsreceivedfromGodacertainmeasureoftheSpirit.Thefullmeasureofthe
SpiritwasreservedforGod'sownchosenone.Now,inHebrewthoughttheSpiritof
Godhadtwofunctionsfirst,theSpiritrevealedGod'struthtomenand,second,the
Spiritenabledmentorecognizeandunderstandthattruthwhenitcametothem.So
tosaythattheSpiritwasonJesusinthecompletestpossiblewayistosaythathe
perfectlyknewandperfectlyunderstoodthetruthofGod.Toputthatinanotherway
tolistentoJesusistolistentotheveryvoiceofGod.
Finally,Johnagainsetsbeforementheeternalchoicelifeordeath.Allthrough
historythischoicehadbeensetbeforeIsrael.Deuteronomyrecordsthewordsof
Moses:"See,Ihavesetbeforeyouthisdaylifeandgood,deathandevil....Icall
heavenandearthtowitnessagainstyouthisday,thatIhavesetbeforeyoulifeand
death,blessingandcursethereforechooselife,thatyouandyourdescendantsmay
live"(Deuteronomy30:1520).ThechallengewasreiteratedbyJoshua:"Choosethis
daywhomyouwillserve"(Joshua24:15).Ithasbeensaidthatalllifeconcentrates
uponamanatthecrossroads.OnceagainJohnreturnstohisfavouritethought.
Whatmattersisaman'sreactiontoChrist.Ifthatreactionbeloveandlonging,that
manwillknowlife.Ifitbeindifferenceorhostility,thatmanwillknowdeath.Itisnot
thatGodsendshiswrathuponhimitisthathebringsthatwrathuponhimself.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
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Thesefilesarepublicdomain.
TextCourtesyofBibleSupport.com.UsedbyPermission.
BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn3"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=3&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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