Sermon: A Pharisee's admission (John 3:1-12)

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS:
By a Pharisee (John 3:1-12)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2004

(This is the first in a series of four sermons)

Sometimes a conversation that begins innocently enough can develop in ways we did not expect.

During World War II, a navy aviator went into a barbershop to get a shave. The shop also had a manicurist who happened to be very attractive, so the pilot decided to ask for a manicure at the same time. He kept looking at her, completely smitten by her beauty, and finally asked, "How would you like to go out with me?" "No," she replied. "I'm married." "Well, just tell your husband you're busy tonight." Tell him yourself," she said...."He's shaving you." (Adapted from Streiker 1998:109)

Sometimes the conversation can turn out differently than we expect. That was certainly the case when Nicodemus visited the new rabbi in town.

In the course of Jesus' ministry, people wondered at his profound instruction and miraculous power. There were other rabbis who attracted groups of disciples, but this man was different. Although several theories were in circulation about his possible identity (some more believable than others), occasionally those who met him recognized his true nature. Their Tentative Admissions and True Confessions form the next series of messages.

Jesus did not make public appearances with great fanfare, but he did attract considerable public attention. Some people may have dismissed his instruction, assuming it to be similar to what other teachers proclaimed, but they could not ignore his miracles. The first instance in John's gospel is when Jesus surreptitiously turns water to wine at a wedding feast. Only the disciples and the servants are aware of what he does. Nevertheless, Jesus has apparently performed other supernatural deeds, and they have attracted the attention of a wider audience. Please turn to John 3, where Nicodemus comes to visit Jesus, and where we see immediately the importance of...

I. Nicodemus's position (John 3:1)

John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.

John describes Nicodemus by his affiliations, noting that Jesus' visitor has some important credentials.¹

A. He is a spiritual leader.

..."a man of the Pharisees," the group most concerned with Jewish religious devotion.² What draws Nicodemus to Jesus is that they have similar beliefs and values. In fact, comparing them suggests that Jesus is a Pharisee. He certainly has more interaction with that group than with any other. Yet Nicodemus also has another affiliation. In addition to being a spiritual leader...

B. He is a political leader.

...a member of the Sanhedrin, "the Jewish ruling council" that governs the affairs of Jews in the Roman province.³ What also draws Nicodemus to Jesus is the need to know what his political views are. Is he an extremist, given to appeasing or opposing Roman rule, or is he simply concerned with the people's survival under difficult conditions?

John reveals quite a bit about Nicodemus simply by identifying his affiliations.

• What we learn about the Pharisees later in the book is that some vocal members of that group oppose Jesus.
• What we learn about the Sanhedrin later in the book is that some prominent members of that body oppose Jesus.

Nicodemus and probably others of the Pharisees and on the Sanhedrin support Jesus, but their voices are almost lost in the din of opposition.

What do your affiliations reveal about you? What do they say about your religious or political views. Do you agree with the concerns such groups have and the causes they represent, or do you have to distance yourself with several disclaimers?⁴

• "I'm pro-choice" or "I'm pro-life, but I don't go along with the view that...
• "I'm a Republican" or "I'm a Democrat, but I don't support what so-and-so says."

I am not suggesting that you should have no religious or political convictions, merely that you should choose carefully the people and groups with whom you affiliate, making sure that they represent who and what you are.⁵ Moreover, do not be silent when other members take extreme views that do not reflect the group as a whole. As Winston Churchill said, "Evil triumphs when good men keep silent."

After describing Nicodemus's position, John moves to...

II. Nicodemus's recognition (John 3:2)

John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

John makes a point of stating that Nicodemus does not see Jesus during normal office hours but schedules his visit when no one else is around.⁶ While Nicodemus comes alone, he represents others who have the same opinion of Jesus yet who are reluctant, perhaps, to express it publicly. Are they also Pharisees on the ruling council, like Joseph of Arimathea?⁷ How many are involved? Nicodemus does not say. He does, however, express what they believe about this itinerant rabbi, that...

A. Jesus is a teacher from God.

This is an important admission, in part, because later Jesus notes that Nicodemus is, himself, a teacher (John 3:10).

In the Japanese martial arts, like karate, one does not hold the official designation of teacher or sensei until fourth degree black belt, which requires at least twelve years of training and a level of maturity few possess before the age of thirty. After ten more years of study, a person may reach sixth degree and may develop knowledge of his style sufficient to become a teacher of teachers. Nevertheless, rank alone is not enough. There are 8^th degrees and Ph.D.s whose instructional ability is minimal. One must have both a command of the subject and the skill at communicating it to be a good teacher, to become a teacher of teachers.

Nicodemus and those he represents recognize that Jesus, still in his early thirties, has the rare combination of ability and authority,⁸ distinguishing him as a teacher of teachers. Not only is he a teacher from God...

B. Jesus is empowered by God.

Whatever question people may have about the source of Jesus' authority, the miracles he performs remove all doubt.⁹ Exceptional teachers are rare; exceptional teachers who also perform miracles are rarer still. Nicodemus realizes that he has found such a person and that these unusual qualities confirm that Jesus represents God.¹⁰

Does God teach through people today? ...Yes, He does. Can God perform miracles today? ...Yes, He can. To see Him do both through the same person, though, is still rare. In my eighteen years as a student of higher education, I encountered only a handful of exceptional teachers...and none of them could perform miracles. So, which is a more important indication of divine authority? This is not a new concern. Several thousand years ago, God told the Israelites who had come out of Egypt...¹¹

Deut 13:1 If a prophet...appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he [then] says, "Let us follow other gods..." 3a you must not listen to the words of that prophet.... 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow.... Keep his commands and obey him....

The point here is that a wonder from God will always support the word of God, which will be consistent with what He has already revealed. Therefore, if someone performs a dynamic miracle but proclaims a dubious message, do not assume he represents God. The more important indication of divine authority is not powerful signs but proper instruction.

After describing Nicodemus's recognition, John moves to...

III. Nicodemus's question (John 3:3-12)

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

The gospel writers do not record every detail of an event or every snippet of dialogue, and John may have condensed this conversation, because Jesus' "reply" does not seem to relate to what Nicodemus just said. This answer is more appropriate to a question, as when...

Matt 19:16 ...a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

That may be similar to Nicodemus's implied question here....

A. How can one enter the kingdom? (implicit)

The reason this is an important question is that several different answers are in circulation—inadequate means of salvation (Manuel 2012).

1. Some think that Abraham's descendants have guaranteed access to the kingdom.

When a few religious leaders grew smug about their position, John the Baptist warned them...

Matt 3:9 ...do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

In other words, Abraham's descendents do not have guaranteed access to the kingdom.

2. Others think that good deeds earn access to the kingdom.

When Jesus encountered those "who were confident of their own righteousness" (Luke 18:9), he told a parable that ended with a call for humility and the recognition that good deeds do not earn access to the kingdom.

3. Still others think that temple sacrifices secure atonement and access to the kingdom.

The author of Hebrews puts this erroneous notion to rest by distinguishing between what animal sacrifices can and cannot do. For those people who are "ceremonially unclean [animal sacrifices] sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean" (Heb 9:13), but animal "sacrifices...can never take away sins" (10:11) and, thus, cannot secure access to the kingdom.

These are some of the inadequate means of salvation circulating in the first century. Nicodemus probably does not subscribe to any of them, but Jesus' assertion that a person must be "born again" is still more confusing than clarifying, so Nicodemus probes further in v. 4....

B. How can one be reborn? (explicit)

John 3:4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit [that is, physical birth and spiritual rebirth, as the next verse makes clear]. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then Will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

This section of John's gospel is familiar to us primarily because it comes before one of the most well-known verses in scripture, John 3:16. Suppose, however, that you were hearing Jesus' explanation of rebirth for the first time. You would probably be as confused as Nicodemus is, and you would probably ask the same questions. Is Jesus just playing with his head, or is he trying to recast something familiar in a new light? In other words, is being born again the description of a different way God is now working, or is it simply a different description of the way God has always worked?

Jesus says that Nicodemus "should not be surprised" by this statement and that, as a teacher in Israel, he should "understand these things." Looking into the Old Testament, which Nicodemus had, we see similar descriptions of the Spirit's activity. The prophet Ezekiel, for example, speaks about the Spirit's renewing the hearts of God's people.¹² Jesus' use of rebirth is simply a different way to describe the transforming work of the Holy Spirit that makes people fit for God's kingdom in any age.

Are you fit for God's kingdom? Has the Holy Spirit transformed you, as if you were reborn? Or are you relying on some other way to gain access to the kingdom. ...on a variation of those inadequate means of salvation?

• Having Christian parents or growing up in the church will not get you into heaven.

They are certainly advantages that can make you aware of what God expects, but you must ask His Spirit to change you.

• Living a good life and being nice to people will not get you into heaven.

However well you try to behave, nothing you do right can make up for what you have done wrong in God's sight.

• Personal sacrifices, denying for yourself what others enjoy, will not get you into heaven.

Nothing you give up will impress God enough to change His opinion of you. There is nothing you can offer Him that He needs or does not already have.

The only way to become fit for God's kingdom is "through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5b), as Jesus describes it here.

John 3 records the tentative admission by a Pharisee about who Jesus is. What Nicodemus probably does not expect is the challenge Jesus poses for this prominent member of the religious community to review his standing before God and to make certain of his rebirth. It is the same challenge Jesus poses to you. Are you confident of your standing before God and certain of your rebirth? If not, please speak with me after the service, and we will settle the matter today.

For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.