John 3:1-21:- They All Fall Down

Introduction

Everyone knows that people are bothered by something. People who have physical needs like education, money, recognition, good health, companionship, political power think that their need is the problem. However, there are people who have all these things and yet their behaviour makes it clear the something else is missing. The solution people come up with is to acquire more things believing the problem is that they just don’t have enough things. John 3: 1-21 tells a story of a person who seemed to have everything but Jesus points out what is missing.

1)      John 3: 1-3:- Everyone comes

There is a God shaped hole in every human heart that brings people to God (Ecclesiastes 1-12). No matter how much any human being acquires in terms of knowledge, possessions, accomplishments, fame, family, power and anything else that can be thought of, every person needs God. And the only way to find Him is to go through Jesus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and an important Jewish leader. Pharisees were in charge of Jewish religious life and in Jesus days- the religious life was the center of all Jewish life. Consequently, he was one of the decision makers in Israel and at one of the highest points a man could reach in Roman Israel.

However, when Nicodemus heard the things Jesus said and saw what Jesus did Nicodemus had to come to Jesus to talk with Him. And Jesus immediately told him he needed to be born again.

2)      John 3: 4-13:- No one knows

God has His own way of guiding people’s lives. Although everyone is born with a hunger for God, no one knows what they are hungry for until God reveals it to them.

Nicodemus came to Jesus trying to become a better teacher or perform miracles but what he needed was a new heart. His next problem was he tried to understand how this happens. No one knows what they are looking for or what happens. God does not explain everything He does or will do. But for those who have said yes to God, we know the effects of the decision. We don’t where God will lead next but we know our lives have been transformed and will end wonderfully.

3)      John 3:14-21:- Everyone chooses

God forces the choice of Light or Darkness. God brings everyone to the point at which they may accept or reject what He wants (Deuteronomy 28). The first big choice a person must make is whether to accept Jesus as his/her personal Saviour. After making that initial choice to follow Jesus the person continues to face many difficult choices. Making the correct choice will lead to pain but that pain will bring joy for many others.

This is why Jesus said that He must lifted up like the bronze snake was lifted up in the desert. The story of how the bronze snake came to be is found in Numbers 21:4-9. The Israelites were on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land when they had to make a detour because their relatives refused to allow them to pass through their land. They got tired on the journey and started complaining against God and Moses. God then sent poisonous snakes to them which bit and killed them. Moses asked God what to do and God said He should make a replica of a poisonous snake and put it on a pole. God said anyone who looked at it will live. Moses then made the replica out of bronze put it on a pole and anyone who was bitten by a snake and looked at the snake lived.

Jesus is represented by the bronze snake and all people are represented by the Israelites. He is the one who anyone can look to to be delivered from whatever problem comes. He is the one who people must place their trust in to be delivered from going to Hell. He is also the one who will carry us through the painful journey of life and deliver us from every crisis even if we cause them ourselves. He has promised that anyone who accepts Him will not be condemned but have eternal life. Eternal life as He defined it is- knowing God and those who know Him will spend an eternity with Him.

Conclusion

What every human being needs is not more things. It is He who made all things. If you are reading this and you have not accepted God’s free gift of Jesus Christ, you can do so by simply asking Jesus to forgive your sins and accept you into His family. Anyone who does this is with a sincere heart is a permanent part of God’s family. If you have done this your satisfaction will only be found in doing the things Jesus commands should be done. The commands will bring terrible suffering but that suffering will be followed by great glory given to Jesus who is God Almighty.