QT 10/21/2026 John 3:1–8, Jesus puzzles the religious seekers

John 3:1–8 (ESV) —

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

 

NOTE: To me, the most interesting aspect of Nicodemus is that he came at night. Already, the religious leaders were not accepting Jesus, probably because of what happened at the temple. But, some rabbis and Pharisees probably recognized the corrupt practices, even though they weren't willing to stand up against it. Your career and opportunity for higher position was probably dependent upon holding the party line.

 

Jesus didn't make it easy on Nicodemus. Rather than giving a defense of his actions, he puzzles him with a statement of the need to be born again. If he had said Gentiles must be born again, Nicodemus might have understood. But to say a person needs to be born again to enter God's kingdom throws Jews in the bucket of people outside God's kingdom.

 

Additionally, Jesus describes the new birth with a metaphor of wind. You see the change caused by the wind, but you don't see the wind or where it came from, so it is with spiritual rebirth. You see a change in the person's life, but you don't see the Holy Spirit who is making those changes.

 

PONDER:

1. Has your life been changed by a rebirth?
2. Are you on the outside or inside the kingdom?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know what Jesus meant because I have experienced that change long before I even knew there was a phrase, born again. I saw my life change after I put my trust in you. I saw that desire for you word grow in my heart. I saw everything change because of faith in you.