Does God Have Faith in You? (John 2:22-3:21)
Full Transcript.
I've stated this before, and I'll say it again today: the core message of the Bible is belief in Jesus Christ. The New Testament mentions "believe" about 500 times, and this entire book, the Gospel of John, is dedicated to encouraging us to believe in Jesus. This belief isn't just about accepting a truth but about depending on Him for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.
But this morning, I want to flip this idea around and not ask: Do you believe in the Lord, but does He believe in you?
Is it possible for someone to be a believer, a born-again, saved child of God, and yet for God to not fully trust in them? Well, perhaps shockingly I believe the answer to that is yes.
There's a passage in the Gospel of John that teaches this truth, and it's where I'd like to direct our attention today, when I ask the question.
Does God Have Faith in You?
Welcome to today’s episode of TBPDP
Hi Friends today passage we will be looking at goes from John 2:23 through to John 3:21. Scholars agree that these verses form a cohesive unit, which is what we are going to look at today .
John 2:23-25: Belief and Jesus' Response.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust (commit) himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
(John 2: 23-25)
If we only read verse 23, it might seem clear that these individuals were genuine believers. However, verse 24 introduces a complication because it says that "Jesus did not entrust Himself to them because He knew all men."
This leads many commentators to conclude that these people were not truly saved—they merely believed in the miracles.
So, did the people mention here have a genuine belief or just a superficial faith?
Some preachers suggest that the crowd was only impressed by the miracles, not genuinely committed to Jesus. But I believe these people were indeed true believers, and here's why:
Purpose of John's Gospel is told to us in John 20:31, and it states. "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."
The miracles were recorded to foster belief. Thus, it's reasonable to think that those who believed because of witnessing the miracles were genuine believers also.
The phrase "believed in His name" (John 2:23) uses a Greek construction that scholars agree is the strongest possible expression for saving faith.
The phrase "believe in His name" is used three times in John's Gospel. For example, John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." So gain here, this clearly refers to genuine believers.
Ok let's transition from John 2:25 to John 3:1-21, where Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus provides an illustration of the previous verses:
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”.
(John 3: 1-3)
John introduces us to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus believed in the Old Testament and anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Pharisees also believed that righteousness was the key to entering the Kingdom of God. Being described as a ruler of the Jews means Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council in Israel.
In John 1, we saw a committee the Sanhedrin, possibly including Nicodemus, interviewing John the Baptist. John the Baptist denied being the Messiah but indicated that the Messiah was already among them. This information must have intrigued Nicodemus, especially as he had now heard reports about an extraordinary figure attracting large crowds and performing miracles.
The opening verses describes how Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and acknowledged Him as a teacher from God, based on the miracles Jesus performed. Some criticize Nicodemus for coming at night, suggesting he was afraid of being seen. While this could be true, other plausible reasons could also include his simply wanted an uninterrupted conversation, but it certainly was a cautious approach before making any public commitment.
Regardless of his motives, Nicodemus expressed his belief that Jesus' miracles were proof of His divine connection. However, Jesus responded to Nicodemus’ spiritual curiosity with a profound statement in John 3:3:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
The key term here is "see," meaning to perceive or understand. Jesus was telling Nicodemus that without being born again, one cannot truly comprehend or experience the Kingdom of God. This concept puzzled Nicodemus, who, despite his extensive education and high status, could not grasp the spiritual significance of this, “being born again”.
Nicodemus’ response in John 3:4 shows his confusion:
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
(John 3: 4)
Nicodemus was thinking in terms of physical birth, unable to understand the metaphorical nature of Jesus’ words. Jesus clarified this in John 3:5:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
This verse has sparked much debate. However, in the context of the conversation, Jesus is distinguishing between physical and spiritual birth. "Born of water" refers to physical birth, as everyone is literally born from the water of the womb. "Born of the Spirit" refers to a spiritual rebirth, essential for entering the Kingdom of God.
I believe this interpretation is supported by the flow of the conversation and the need to clarify Nicodemus' misunderstanding.
Jesus further explains what he means in verses 6-8:
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.”
(John 3: 6-8)
Here, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of a spiritual rebirth, distinct from physical birth. The new birth is a work of the Holy Spirit, transforming an individual’s heart and mind, enabling them to enter and understand God's Kingdom.
Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking answers, and Jesus directed him to the fundamental truth of spiritual rebirth. This conversation highlights the inadequacy of human effort and understanding in attaining salvation. Instead, it underscores the need for a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit of God.
Jesus' message to Nicodemus is still relevant for us today as we can still only enter the Kingdom of God by a rebirth that only the Spirit can accomplish.
Jesus uses the analogy of the wind to describe the mystery and reality of spiritual birth. Though the wind's origin and destination are invisible, its effects are definitely seen and can be experienced. Similarly, spiritual rebirth may be mysterious, but its impact is real and tangible.
This conversation took place at night, likely on the flat roof of a house, with a cool breeze blowing. Jesus likely uses the wind as a metaphor, emphasizing that while Nicodemus might not fully understand the concept of being born again, the reality of its effects can be observed in the same way they could see the effects of the breeze that night.
Just as you can see and hear the wind rustling the leaves, you might not grasp all the theological nuances of spiritual rebirth, but you can recognize its presence and transformative power.
To illustrate the necessity of spiritual life, Jesus explains that different kinds of life exist: both natural human, and divine spiritual life. While physical birth grants human life, entering into fellowship with God is required for divine spiritual life, which is imparted through spiritual rebirth.
Nicodemus’ then askes.
"How can these things be?"
(John 3:9)
Jesus responds with a gentle rebuke:
“You are Israel’s teacher,and do you not understand these things?
(John 3:10)
Jesus points out that Nicodemus, a well-educated religious leader, should understand these spiritual truths. However, Nicodemus’ lack of comprehension here highlights for us the gap between religious knowledge and spiritual insight.
Jesus continues, addressing not just Nicodemus but also the broader unbelief of the religious leaders:
11 Very truly I tell you, 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?
(John 3:11-12)
When Nicodemus first approached Jesus, he used the plural "we" to represent the Sanhedrin’s collective curiosity. Jesus responds by restating that the Sanhedrin, represented by Nicodemus, rejects their testimony. Jesus points out the inconsistency: if they do not believe the earthly signs and miracles they have seen, how can they believe when He speaks of heavenly, spiritual truths?
Jesus then explains how spiritual rebirth occurs, emphasizing His divine origin and mission:
13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
(John 3:13-15)
Jesus emphasizes that the new birth is made possible through the Son of Man, who descended from heaven. This statement affirms His pre-existence, deity, and unique role in providing access to divine life.
Jesus continues with an analogy from the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites bitten by poisonous snakes faced death. God instructed Moses to fashion a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole. Those who looked at it were healed and lived. Similarly, Jesus indicates that He must be lifted up on the cross, symbolizing that the very thing causing death (sin) must be addressed through His crucifixion. By His death, Jesus pays for our sins, offering us the life of God within us.
This foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion and the salvation it brings.
Faith is the means by which we receive this new birth. It is not just an intellectual assent but a trust in Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. When someone believes, they are granted eternal life—God's life—immediately. This eternal life signifies not only unending existence but also a new quality of life characterized by divine nature within.
John 3:16 and onwards are some of the most famous verses in the Bible.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
(John 3: 16-18)
John 3: 16 underscores God's immense love, demonstrated by the sacrifice of His Son. It emphasizes that eternal life is available to anyone who believes, highlighting the universal scope of God's offer.
John 3:17-18 further clarifies the purpose of Jesus' coming and the consequences of unbelief and rejecting Him:
Jesus came to offer salvation, not condemnation. However, rejecting Him results in self-condemnation. Those who do not believe remain under judgment, highlighting the stark choice between faith and unbelief.
Jesus explains the process of judgment in John 3:19-21:
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
(John 3: 16-21)
The metaphor of light and darkness he uses illustrates the human response to Jesus. Light represents Jesus and His truth, exposing the darkness of sin. Those who love their evil deeds avoid the light to escape exposure and judgment. Conversely, those who seek truth come to the light, demonstrating their alignment with God.
There is a call made upon every new believer to choose now to live in the light
Living in the light of the truth involves more than just believing; it encompasses obedience and living in the light. Those who practice the truth must be willing to bring their actions into the open, allowing them to be examined in the light of God’s truth. This openness and transparency in one's faith journey are crucial markers of genuine discipleship.
Verse 21 introduces the idea that true faith results in visible actions that align with God's will. Living in the truth involves a commitment to living out one's beliefs, demonstrating that faith is not merely a private matter but a public declaration of allegiance to Christ.
Nicodemus' story illustrates beautifully the journey from curiosity to belief, and eventually to open discipleship. Initially, Nicodemus approached Jesus at night, perhaps out of fear or a desire for privacy.
Despite this cautious beginning, his interactions with Jesus sparked a transformation. Later in John’s Gospel, we will see Nicodemus defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin in (John 7:50-51) and assisting in His burial in (John 19:39-40).
These subsequent actions suggest that Nicodemus moved from a secret inquirer to a public supporter of Jesus even in the face of opposition.
There is a difference between being a believer and being a friend of Jesus.
This narrative points to a deeper call beyond mere belief because Jesus says, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."
This distinction between being a believer and being a friend of Jesus is profound. While many may believe in Jesus and receive eternal life, becoming a friend of Jesus requires obedience and a willingness to follow His commands openly. It means stepping out of the shadows and living a life that visibly honours Him.
Jesus' interactions with Nicodemus in this passage also reveal His discernment of people's hearts. He knew who genuinely believed and who merely professed belief without a commitment to live out that faith.
In the beginning of today section of scripture we saw John state that Jesus did not entrust Himself to everyone because He knew what was in each person.
Genuine faith is not only about trust in Jesus but also about being true to his call to action by living in a way that reflects His light and truth.
The challenge presented by Jesus to Nicodemus—and by extension, to all believers—is to move from secret belief to open discipleship. It is a call to live in the light, where our deeds can be seen as being done in God.
This requires courage and a deep commitment to Christ, reflecting His love and truth in every aspect of our lives.
So, in summary, this entire passage teaches that to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born again through faith in Jesus Christ. This new birth is achieved through belief in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, resulting in eternal life. However, true discipleship involves more than belief; it requires living in the light, obeying Jesus, and openly declaring our faith.
Nicodemus’ journey from a secret seeker to a public supporter of Jesus serves as a powerful example of this transformative process.
Jesus calls each of us to not only believe but to live out our faith boldly, becoming His friends through our obedience and trustworthiness.
