There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:1-2)

In these first couple of verses, we see the context for one of the most incredible conversations that has ever been recorded. There are two subjects talking in this conversation. We’re introduced to the first one in verse 1. His name was Nicodemus.

We are told in the first verse that he was a man of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews. This guy’s peers were the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a religious class that were fairly conservative in their beliefs. They were orthodox, they loved the Old Testament, they loved the law, they thought that they were right, and they were very self-assured of that idea. In fact, they enjoyed not just religious, but political power. Though subjugated by the Romans at the time, they still were the predominant religious Jewish authority.

We see in verse 2 the second person named, Jesus Christ. This is who Nicodemus came to by night. Some have said that the reason for this is because it was harder to be discovered that he was going to see Jesus if he went by night.

Verse 2 gives something of an admission. Nicodemus was definitely someone who had a differing opinion from the common opinion of the Pharisees regarding who Jesus was. He calls Jesus “Rabbi,” which would have been a sign of respect for sure. He also seems to admit something, and he’s admitting it not just on behalf of himself, but on behalf of all the Pharisees. He says, “We know”—the “we” meaning he and his tribe, he and his constituents, he and his Pharisaical group. “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God.” He says, “We know you’re from God.” How do we know that? He says, “For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. ”The signs that Jesus was doing, named over and over again even in the first couple chapters of John, were having the effect that Jesus intended them to have. You’ll know that someone has God’s blessing and authority at some level because they do the miracles. So Nicodemus really feels like he is conceding, no doubt, by meeting with Jesus and by admitting that he believed that Jesus was on God’s side.

Application

Of course, this was not enough, and we’ll see that through the rest of the conversation. It may have seemed like it was a big admission or a big concession, but it did not go far enough for this man Nicodemus to be right with God, to get to heaven. The rest of the conversation deals with the kingdom of God and heaven—how you get there.I think an application that we can see here is clear. It may feel like you’re doing enough to get to God or that you are on God’s side by being reilgious. The truth is Jesus is the one who determines how far is far enough in terms of getting to God. God is the authority on how you have a relationship with Him, not man. To be a little bit off is to miss heaven.

Discussion Question

Is what you believe about God in line with what God has said about Himself?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Have you ever been ashamed or embarrassed about considering Jesus Christ?

Notice how Jesus responded to a surge in popularity in response to his miracles.

(23) Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. (24) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, (25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

What does Jesus think of popularity?

This text speaks of the response of the mob, the crowd, in Jerusalem to the miracles of Jesus.  There was an excitement and acceptance of Jesus based on the miracles that he did.  It was the popular thing to talk about and accept what he was doing, but Jesus did not want to be treated like a passing fad.  

Notice all the plural language talking about multiple people.  Many, they, them, all men, any.  Even the word “man” is used like we would use “mankind”.  It’s not that this didn’t manifest itself individually.  It’s that Jesus was not driven by popularity.  He didn’t want to be received only as the latest new thing.  He did not “commit himself” or place his trust in their acceptance of him.  Why?  “Because he knew all men”.  His hope for success was not based on the acceptance of the crowd.

These couple of verses flows thematically into John 3, where Nicodemus is coming by night admitting that the miracles of Jesus were making many realize that Jesus was from God.  This conversation that follows shows that Jesus knew what was in the heart of Nicodemus individually, as well as the crowd that had an opinion of him.

Thinking about how Jesus knows us.

Jesus knows our hearts.  This is a terrible and ferocious reality.  He knows every thought, motivation, and feeling that I have.  He knows everything about me, and died for me anyway.  He is the only hope for cleansing and leading my heart in righteousness.

Jesus wants genuine faith.  When it comes to our spiritual lives, we must not be swayed by the crowd.  We don’t follow Jesus more when its popular to do so than when it will lead to persecution.  The cultures of men ebb and flow, but individually we must be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

We should be more concerned with what God thinks than what men think.  It matters what God thinks of us infinitely more than what man thinks of us.  We are eternal beings living forever somewhere.  We should live accordingly.

Questions for application

1. Is your heart where it needs to be when it comes to Jesus?
2. How are you tempted to go with the crowd?

The people that heard Jesus sign were thoroughly confused. Maybe you would be, too!

(20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (21) But he spake of the temple of his body. (22) When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.  (John 2:20-22)

What was Jesus talking about?

The idea that it would only take Jesus 3 days to re-raise the temple was preposterous to those who demanded a sign from Him.  They give an accurate accounting as to how long it took to erect the temple at the time of this writing.

John though helps us to understand what Jesus was referencing.   He called his body the temple, and announced that He would raise it up in three days.  This would not have been in their mind at all.  It seems that Jesus is concealing the sign for future understanding.  They seemed to demand a sign to signify His authority in the moment, and He does not satisfy what they want.  He gives them a sign for sure, but does not yield His authority to them by submitting to their request in their way.

Verse 22 points again to the purpose of the book, to help the reader believe on Jesus.  He points out that the disciples remember this after Jesus rose.  It says they “believed the scripture”.  It could have been scripture like Psalms 16:8-11.

[8] I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. [10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:8-11)

Not only has the Old Testament predicted Jesus resurrection, but Jesus himself predicted it here and in other instances recorded in the Gospels.

This gave the disciples great courage later.  They went from being fearful after his death, to being bold after His resurrection once they had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and believed in the reality of what they had seen and heard.  This is what Peter and John said to the very people who killed Jesus.

[18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. [21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. (Acts 4:18-21)

There is no greater demonstration of the authority of Jesus Christ than the Gospel- that he was crucified for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

We should respond to this in three ways, among others.

We should believe.  The purpose for which John gives the narrative is that we should believe.  Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and is the only way to get to God through forgiveness of sin by trusting in Him.  We should repent and believe on Him.

We should be bold.  What was predicted by Jesus is exactly what happened.  He called His shot and then made it.  Should we obey men rather than God?  Eternity is too long to go against the God who gave us His Son.  We should go with Him, and try to get everyone we can to hear the Gospel so that they can go, too.

We should obey.  Jesus is in charge.  He has the authority to deal with my sin, and to correct my wrong thinking and behavior.  He is in charge.

Application Questions

1. Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
2. Are you bold or are you ashamed?  Who have you told about Jesus lately?
3. Is there some area of your life that you are treating as off limits to the authority of Jesus Christ?  Stop!  Obey!

Those that saw Jesus turn over tables had a question about his authority.

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign she west thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? (19) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:18-19)

Jesus gives them a sign.

The most obvious question that could be asked gets asked in verse 18.  After overturning the tables, running out the exchangers, and claiming that His Father’s house should not be a house of merchandise, those that were there had the question about authority.  But notice the nature of the question.  The word translated “sign” is the same word often translated “miracle”.  If any other person would have done this, would they have asked for a “sign” of his authority?  It’s as if they kind of believe, or they have some sense of his reputation.  The question was essentially this- What right do you have to do this in the temple?

Jesus answers with a sign in the form of a prophecy.  He speaks of “this temple” being destroyed.  He speaks of raising the temple again.  That certainly would be some kind of a sign to destroy something that large and imposing, and to rebuild it in three days.  When you think about building almost any kind of structure of any magnitude, three days would certainly be very quick.

We know that he was not referring to the literal temple that they occupied at this moment which we will look at in tomorrows post.

The truth that we see here is that Jesus is claiming authority to do this.  He is able to back up the fact that He has this authority.  He does so by predicting the destruction and resurrection of “this temple”.

The resurrection is evidence of Jesus’ authority.

Jesus Christ is in authority over what happens in the temple.  In fact, it is by His death, burial, and resurrection, that we have been made the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit once we trust in Christ.  We become priests, able to go to God through the person and work of that Spirit and Christ.    He does have a right to say what should be done and what should not be done in His temple.  He’s in charge.

Response

1. Are you fighting Jesus’ authority in some area of your life?
2. As a believer, are you accessing time with God and talking to Him on the regular?