WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 If you've ever been to Florence, you might have seen my favorite sculpture when you were there, 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:07.080 ! 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:12.800 This is a sculpture that depicts the moment that Jesus was taken down from the cross. 00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:15.040 ! And there are four figures in the sculpture. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:19.920 ! There's Mary Magdalene, Jesus's legs are kind of draped over her. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:24.960 There's Mary, the mother of Jesus, supporting Jesus's body, Jesus himself. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:30.920 And then Nicodemus standing behind the other three figures, kind of like this. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:32.120 It's a huge statue. 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:39.780 And I had the privilege of spending a morning with this statue 20-something years ago now. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:46.760 And it's one of those experiences that I just remember sitting there and being just gutted by it. 00:00:47.040 --> 00:00:52.219 And there were two things that really stood out to me as I just spent time staring at it. 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:57.719 One is that there are chisel marks all over, particularly all over Nicodemus. 00:00:58.339 --> 00:01:04.400 And we know that Michelangelo was 70, around 70, when he started work on this statue. 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:09.239 And so he was really old to be doing this kind of physical labor. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:14.680 We also know this was a statue that he didn't receive a commission for. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:17.439 This was something he wanted to use for his own tomb. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:19.640 So that's one thing. 00:01:19.759 --> 00:01:26.359 But then the other thing that is really striking is that Nicodemus' face is Michelangelo's face. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.420 And we know that Michelangelo was a man who wrestled deeply with his faith from his writings. 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:37.439 And so it seems fitting that he would have felt a connection to Nicodemus, 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:42.500 who we'll learn more about this morning in this conversation we just read about with Jesus. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:46.239 And this conversation is relevant for us too. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:49.159 It's really pivotal to our understanding of the gospel. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.260 And it's gonna help us answer three questions. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:54.599 What do we want? 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:57.060 How are we missing the big picture? 00:01:58.299 --> 00:02:00.579 And what's our true hope for transformation? 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:03.400 Would you pray with me? 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:10.599 Oh, Lord, soften our hearts to hear from you this morning. 00:02:12.860 --> 00:02:17.200 If there are places where we aren't able to hear from you, 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.379 places where you are not Lord of our lives, 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:23.200 we want to lay ourselves before you, Lord. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:24.580 Would you lighten our darkness? 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:26.939 Would you be the teacher? 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:30.219 Not my words, but yours, Lord. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:33.180 Thank you for this space to gather. 00:02:33.359 --> 00:02:34.859 Would your spirit fall on us? 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.939 In the name of Jesus, amen. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.680 I'd encourage you all to pull out your Bibles if you brought them this morning, 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:46.699 just because we're gonna be going through the text pretty closely, verse by verse, 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:48.219 so it might just help you follow along. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:52.300 So when we read a passage like this in the Bible, 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.400 there are a couple things that we wanna keep in mind, 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:57.159 just as we're sitting with it and marinating in it. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:02.659 So one of those things is we wanna think about how the people actually in this scene 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:05.159 would have understood what was going on. 00:03:05.519 --> 00:03:10.560 So how would Nicodemus have been able to receive and hear the words that Jesus was saying? 00:03:11.359 --> 00:03:15.819 The second thing is how would those reading this or hearing John's gospel, 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:18.560 John's readers, how would they have understood this passage? 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:21.699 And then after we've answered those first two, 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:27.699 then we can think about what does it look like for us today to study this passage. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.840 But we can't get to that third person, that third question, 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:33.219 without locating ourselves within the first two. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:35.719 So we'll be pressing into those a little bit this morning. 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:40.020 And we see in so many of Jesus' dialogues with people, 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:41.280 and especially this one, 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.900 that they come expressing one desire, 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:45.919 but he redirects them, 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:49.199 and he speaks to a deeper, unexpressed need. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:50.960 He knows what they really need. 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:53.780 He corrects their misunderstandings, 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:55.740 and he reveals himself. 00:03:57.219 --> 00:03:58.319 And in this conversation, 00:03:58.439 --> 00:03:59.280 what we're gonna see 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:03.400 is that Jesus expands Nicodemus' understanding of the kingdom of God 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:04.759 and his mission 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:07.620 far beyond what Nicodemus thought it meant. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:12.520 So let's set the scene a little bit with Nicodemus. 00:04:12.700 --> 00:04:14.240 He comes to Jesus at night. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:16.459 They're probably sitting up on the rooftop 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:20.100 because that would have been the coolest part of the house 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.120 where Jesus was staying. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:24.280 They may have each had a few disciples with them. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:25.040 We're not sure. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:29.939 Nicodemus was both a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:34.340 So not every Pharisee was a member of the Sanhedrin. 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:37.540 Pharisees were really the moral exemplars at the time. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:38.759 And if you've read the Gospels, 00:04:38.840 --> 00:04:41.600 you know that they were typically opposing Jesus. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:46.000 The Sanhedrin was a governing body 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.280 of priests, elders, and scribes. 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:52.120 And they had the final to say in disputes over Jewish law. 00:04:52.540 --> 00:04:54.180 They decided cases of blasphemy. 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:57.819 They were the ones that actually wanted to get Jesus crucified. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.740 And so men were appointed to serve on this body 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:04.759 based on their learning and their knowledge. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:08.240 So the fact that Nicodemus had both these credentials, 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:10.099 Pharisee and Sanhedrin, 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:13.199 meant that he was really the cream of the crop intellectually. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:18.339 So why did he come at night? 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.459 That's a question we have to ask. 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.899 It could have been purely logistical. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:26.319 You know, Jesus was getting pretty famous at this point. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:28.319 It was at the point in his ministry 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:30.360 where he was being followed by large crowds. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:32.480 It would have been really hard 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:35.000 to have an extended one-on-one conversation with him. 00:05:36.159 --> 00:05:37.800 He was probably really exhausted. 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:41.259 And yet he took this time with Nicodemus 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:43.579 having this extended conversation. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:47.759 And whatever the practical logistics may have been, 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:49.600 I think there's also a strong chance 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:52.300 that Nicodemus didn't want anyone to know 00:05:52.300 --> 00:05:53.579 that this meeting was happening. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.939 He probably wanted it to be undercover. 00:05:56.419 --> 00:05:57.899 He had a reputation to uphold. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:01.680 But there's something deeper going on here too. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:05.579 In the larger context of John's gospel and his letters, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:09.240 night and darkness are associated with spiritual blindness. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:13.000 So while this conversation likely did take place 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.000 physically at night, 00:06:15.099 --> 00:06:16.639 John's leading us somewhere deeper. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:18.779 This teacher of the law, 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:20.399 this moral exemplar, 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:22.759 this member of the Sanhedrin 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:25.659 is sitting in deep spiritual darkness. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.519 Darkness that is deeper than he knows. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:33.839 And Nicodemus' opening statement reveals his purpose, 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:35.659 his reason for talking to Jesus. 00:06:36.299 --> 00:06:37.459 What he thinks he wants. 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:41.599 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:42.859 who has come from God. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:45.959 For no one could do these signs you are doing 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:47.139 without God. 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:50.579 And I think there are a few things we want to note here. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:51.300 First of all, 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:55.899 Nicodemus addresses Jesus respectfully. 00:06:56.740 --> 00:06:57.199 He says, 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:57.560 Rabbi. 00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:00.560 So even though he was probably much older than Jesus 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:02.339 to have the status that he had, 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:06.459 he recognizes that Jesus is someone worthy of respect. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:08.819 But still, 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:10.599 he's mainly trying to figure out 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:12.360 how do you do these things that you do? 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:13.539 How do you do exorcisms? 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:14.719 How do you do miracles? 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:17.760 All of these things that people are talking about. 00:07:18.640 --> 00:07:20.220 Maybe he wants to go back 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:22.880 and report to his colleagues what he learns. 00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:25.320 But instead, 00:07:26.320 --> 00:07:28.040 Jesus redefines the conversation 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:30.100 with his statement in verse three. 00:07:31.440 --> 00:07:32.340 Very truly, 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:33.640 I tell you, 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:36.740 no one can see the kingdom of God 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.640 unless they are born again. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:42.360 He uses that phrase very truly, 00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:43.039 I tell you, 00:07:43.099 --> 00:07:45.039 three times in this passage, 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:45.500 meaning, 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:48.399 listen up and pay attention. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:50.939 So immediately, 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.479 Nicodemus is probably thinking, 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:54.860 was I asking about the kingdom of God? 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:56.959 I didn't think I was asking about the kingdom of God. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:00.860 But Jesus is trying to get Nicodemus 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:01.939 to answer, 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:04.259 to ask a better question. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:06.420 Instead of, 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:08.579 I just wanna understand how you do miracles, 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.920 Jesus is right away from the get-go, 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:13.939 trying to lead him out of darkness 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.219 to salvation, 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:17.539 to speak to his true need. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:20.099 And this phrase, 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:21.099 kingdom of God, 00:08:21.159 --> 00:08:23.259 was a weighty one for the Jews at the time. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:24.659 It would have made Nicodemus 00:08:24.659 --> 00:08:26.420 kind of perk up and take notice. 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:28.500 Because throughout the Old Testament, 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:30.099 kingdom of God 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:32.840 implied both the presence of God, 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:35.340 who was king authoritatively, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:37.060 and this domain to rule. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:38.540 Now, 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.300 the prevailing Jewish teaching of the day 00:08:41.300 --> 00:08:43.300 associated the kingdom of God 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:44.620 with the coming of the Messiah. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.379 These two things were seen 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.800 as being in lockstep together. 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:52.100 And it was also seen as an eschatological, 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:53.379 that's a hard word to say, 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.700 end times event. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.620 Meaning the present age 00:08:57.620 --> 00:08:58.700 was gonna come to an end 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:00.680 and the new Jerusalem would come. 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.639 And you can imagine 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:05.139 how much the Jews longed for this event. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:07.259 After multiple occupations, 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:08.779 after being in exile, 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:11.659 after they're in their current occupation, 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:13.199 Rome is occupying them. 00:09:14.239 --> 00:09:15.779 I think we long for it too, 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:16.199 don't we? 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:17.759 I mean, 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.379 look at what's happening in Iran right now. 00:09:20.239 --> 00:09:22.079 We long for the Lord to come 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:23.459 and make all things new, 00:09:24.099 --> 00:09:25.179 the way we sang. 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:28.139 But here's the thing. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:30.099 Jesus is gonna redefine 00:09:30.099 --> 00:09:32.679 the way that the prevailing Jewish teaching 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:34.299 was interpreting this at the time. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.199 His ministry of preaching and healing 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:38.319 has made it clear 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:39.359 that the kingdom of God 00:09:39.359 --> 00:09:40.239 isn't just imminent, 00:09:41.239 --> 00:09:42.459 but that God's mission 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:44.779 is being fulfilled in him 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:46.500 right in that moment. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:49.000 What did Jesus say? 00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:50.799 The first time he got up to preach 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:52.599 in the book of Luke, 00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:53.919 in Luke's gospel, 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:55.179 he quotes Isaiah, 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.620 words that everyone in that synagogue 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.919 would have been familiar with. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:01.579 The spirit of the Lord is on me 00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:03.199 because he has anointed me 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:04.939 to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.379 He has sent me 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:08.240 to proclaim freedom for the prisoners 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:10.819 and recovery of sight for the blind, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.279 to set the oppressed free, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.240 and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.379 And he preaches that, 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:20.100 and then he proceeds to live it out 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:22.799 through the healing ministry that he has, 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:23.879 through the preaching, 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.700 through exorcisms. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.519 And so Nicodemus is sitting here, 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:29.159 you know, 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.500 he's hearing Jesus say this, 00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:32.500 he's flipping through his mental Rolodex, 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.980 and he's thinking about 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.879 all the kingdom of God 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.299 and Messiah prophecies he knows, 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.460 which I'm sure are many 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:38.799 because he was so educated. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.200 And yet, 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.139 can you picture Jesus 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.659 leaning forward towards him? 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:43.440 Like, 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.720 Nicodemus, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.519 the messianic salvation 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.440 and fulfillment 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:49.759 of all the Old Testament prophecies 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:50.480 that you've heard 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.620 and learned your whole life 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.940 is sitting right here. 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:53.860 It's me. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.259 That salvation you've been longing 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.259 and searching for 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.740 isn't just a future thing. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.899 It's a thing that's happening now. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.840 So Jesus is shifting this paradigm 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.259 to a two-part fulfillment. 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:07.840 His miracles, 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:08.820 his healings, 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.820 his exorcisms 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:11.960 testify to abundant life 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:12.820 in the present 00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:15.100 and everlasting life 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.140 in the age to come, 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.820 the consummation of the kingdom. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:19.760 This was a new revelation. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:23.400 So let's just pause here. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.780 Let's zoom out for just a minute 00:11:24.780 --> 00:11:25.680 and think about 00:11:25.680 --> 00:11:26.960 how this is sitting with us. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.420 So, 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:30.060 does anybody here 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:31.540 identify with Nicodemus? 00:11:31.760 --> 00:11:32.860 Is anybody educated? 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.460 Did anybody come to D.C. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:34.980 because they have 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:35.920 a high-powered job? 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.620 I think that there's 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.860 probably some likelihood 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:39.599 that D.C. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.439 is a city full of Nicodemuses, 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:43.439 intellectual, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.559 top-of-the-class, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.799 valedictorians, 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:47.759 used to setting agendas, 00:11:48.339 --> 00:11:49.679 defining the terms of a meeting, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.219 used to having power and authority. 00:11:53.599 --> 00:11:54.299 And none of those 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:55.779 is a bad thing, right? 00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:58.399 But let me just ask you 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.120 a few questions 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.079 from these verses. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:03.300 If you go to meet with Jesus, 00:12:04.040 --> 00:12:05.280 who sets the agenda? 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.460 And who's asking the questions? 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:10.720 You know, 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.540 I was talking to somebody 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.800 the other day about Lent, 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.420 and she said, 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.820 my Lenten discipline this year 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:18.879 is that I'm taking 10 minutes 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.500 three times a day, 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:21.759 morning, 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.259 around lunchtime, 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:24.580 and nighttime, 00:12:25.140 --> 00:12:26.120 just to sit. 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.420 I set a timer, 00:12:28.020 --> 00:12:28.800 and I just sit 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:29.840 in the Lord's presence. 00:12:30.520 --> 00:12:31.540 I don't say anything. 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:34.180 I just come to be with God. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.860 And sometimes it's really hard, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.560 right? 00:12:38.400 --> 00:12:39.700 Sometimes that's a long 10 minutes. 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.940 Sometimes it's really beautiful. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:44.220 But what if we did that, y'all? 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:46.960 What if we set a timer? 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:47.620 What if we said, 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.879 I just wanna be with God? 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.160 And that's the point, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.700 being with God, 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.420 being part of his life. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.920 Let me ask you another question. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:01.340 Are you coming to Jesus 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.120 in the dark 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.620 or in the light? 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.060 So coming back 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:07.180 to Michelangelo's story 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:08.160 for just a little bit, 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.860 we know that after he worked 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.460 on this statue for eight years, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.320 he tried to destroy it. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.759 Now, we don't know exactly why, 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:19.679 but I think a particularly compelling story, 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.580 one theory, 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:24.360 is that there was a sect going on 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.860 in Florence at that time. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:28.519 A group actually called the Nicodemus. 00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:31.379 And the Nicodemus were Catholic, 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:34.720 but they believed in Protestant views 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.600 of salvation. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.379 So they believed in salvation 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.600 by grace, 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.299 coming in faith, 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.279 but they didn't wanna separate 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.340 from the Catholic church. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.939 Well, so the Pope at that time, 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:47.539 Paul IV, 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.039 found out about this group, 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:51.220 and he launched an inquisition against them. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.819 And while we don't know 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:54.299 if Michelangelo was formally 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.899 part of this group, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:57.720 we do know that he went into hiding. 00:13:59.199 --> 00:14:01.220 He felt like he had to live in secrecy. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:04.480 And so he did destroy this statue 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.439 or tried to, 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.659 but his face is the face of Nicodemus, 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.220 remains intact. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.360 So ultimately, 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.860 he was identified with it. 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:16.059 And he was identified 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.220 with the suffering Christ. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.720 So most of us face 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.939 far lesser penalties 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:24.639 for publicly professing our faith. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:26.980 And yet many of us remain silent. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.220 When people ask you, 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.240 what are you doing this weekend? 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.819 Maybe you say something like, 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:34.519 well, I'm having brunch on Saturday, 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:36.080 and Sunday afternoon, 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.379 I have a soccer game. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:38.840 Sunday morning, 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:41.840 I'm seeing some friends somewhere 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.379 in an undisclosed location. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.860 I mean, my neighbors see me 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.080 rolling out all the time 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.799 in my collar. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.120 But if they believed 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.279 that I thought 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.480 that Jesus was the way, 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.019 the truth, 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.679 and the life, 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:55.039 and that no one comes 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.620 to the Father 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.539 except through him, 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:57.559 if I actually just 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.359 sat them down 00:14:58.359 --> 00:14:59.959 and publicly professed that to them, 00:15:00.479 --> 00:15:02.199 I don't know how that would go. 00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:05.620 But what if we're the instrument, 00:15:05.739 --> 00:15:06.559 what if I'm the instrument 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.339 for these neighbors 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.479 to come to know Jesus, 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.779 to come out of the darkness 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:12.479 into the light of his kingdom? 00:15:14.979 --> 00:15:16.539 We need to think about this, y'all. 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:21.579 So as this conversation develops, 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:23.079 let's talk about how Nicodemus 00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:24.620 and how we lose sight 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.339 of the big picture. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.539 Let's go back to verse three again. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.500 No one can see the kingdom of God 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.879 unless they're born again. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.879 Nicodemus would have thought, 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.399 like all observant Jews, 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.799 that in addition to the kingdom 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.519 kind of being some future thing, 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.559 that he was in good shape 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.599 for the kingdom of God. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.040 And for that matter, 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.820 John's readers 00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:47.019 and probably a lot of us 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.920 would have thought the same thing. 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:51.600 Entry into the kingdom of God 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.899 was based on personal righteousness 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:55.920 and on being Jewish, 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.920 one of God's chosen people. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:01.180 But Jesus throws him a curveball 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:03.620 or whatever the first century 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:05.360 equivalent of a curveball is 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.399 with this second part of this statement, 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:11.040 unless they're born again. 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:15.199 Nicodemus' immediate response to this 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:17.819 is probably some light sarcasm, 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.719 laughter, 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.980 maybe a little bit of fear. 00:16:22.599 --> 00:16:24.559 How can someone be born when they're old? 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:28.259 Surely they cannot enter a second time 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.699 into their mother's womb. 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:34.759 Jesus responds by saying, 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:38.259 someone must be born of water and the spirit. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:40.720 And this is so beautiful 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:42.799 because he's speaking so specifically 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:45.439 to Nicodemus and his vocation 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:47.319 as a teacher of the law, 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.779 as someone who knew the scriptures. 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:51.279 He's really trying to lead Nicodemus here 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:53.620 because this combination of water 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.299 and the spirit is from a passage 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.840 that he would have known really well 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.639 from Ezekiel, 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.100 where the Lord says, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:02.439 I will sprinkle clean water on you 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.580 and you shall be clean 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.259 from all your uncleannesses 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:07.119 and from all your idols. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.319 I will cleanse you 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:11.140 and I will give you a new heart 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:13.720 and a new spirit I will put within you. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:16.740 And I will remove the heart of stone 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.599 from your flesh 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:20.220 and give you a heart of flesh. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.400 And I will put my spirit within you 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:25.319 and cause you to walk in my statutes 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.579 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.819 So Jesus is reminding Nicodemus, 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:32.079 hey, remember this prophecy? 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.179 Remember Ezekiel? 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.839 He's reminding him 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.199 that the spirit is the one 00:17:36.199 --> 00:17:38.099 causing the obedience and righteousness. 00:17:38.699 --> 00:17:40.460 It's not something we initiate. 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:44.159 Now in the Old Testament, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.000 ritual cleansing with water 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.819 was done to rid yourself of impurity. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.159 And the spirit, 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.599 or ruach, 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:52.099 is the Hebrew word, 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:54.599 affects the transformation of the heart. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:58.159 Ruach is the same word used 00:17:58.159 --> 00:18:01.319 when Genesis talks about the spirit of God 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.819 hovering over the waters. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.139 It's the creative implement of God's nature. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.359 Again, like most Pharisees, 00:18:09.959 --> 00:18:11.740 Nicodemus was probably so convinced 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.779 of his own righteousness 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.679 that he was like, 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.259 I'm good. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:16.279 I don't need this cleansing and renewal. 00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.879 He's not talking about me. 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:21.120 But born of water in the spirit 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:24.820 means an impartation of God's very nature. 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.780 And this isn't something 00:18:26.780 --> 00:18:28.260 we can force or manufacture. 00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:32.100 Some of you who were here last week 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:34.780 heard Pastor Thomas' sermon on Psalm 51. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.740 And if you haven't had a chance to listen to it, 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:38.540 please do go back and listen 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:40.900 about how Lent 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:44.260 is about the restoration and recovery of joy. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.840 And one of the big takeaways 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:47.659 was that true joy isn't something 00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.459 that we manufacture. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.699 It's something that when we come 00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:53.259 in repentance and in humility, 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:55.619 the spirit works that in us 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.579 as we confess. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.079 It's the same thing here. 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.579 This impartation of God's nature 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:04.639 isn't something we manufacture ourselves. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.859 Think about the beginning of the college 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.959 we prayed this morning. 00:19:08.459 --> 00:19:09.339 Almighty God, 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.379 God, 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:12.139 you know that we have no power 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:13.099 within ourselves 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.159 to help ourselves. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.659 We can't just sit here 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.980 and we can't just say like, 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.939 be more like God. 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.759 It doesn't work that way. 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:22.319 It'd be like trying to make 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.819 the wind blow a certain way. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.919 But it blows where it pleases, 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:28.279 as Jesus says in verse eight. 00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:30.659 So at this point, 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.879 I think Nicodemus is probably 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:34.179 starting to get a little nervous 00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:34.980 because he says, 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.299 how can this be? 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.200 He's not trying to be funny. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.919 He's not trying to kind of 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.659 deflect anything. 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.539 He's just like, 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.220 oh my goodness. 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.480 And I think you can sense 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.240 his anxiety 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.419 because think about it. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.180 He's devoted his whole life 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.940 going one way 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.639 towards a certain paradigm. 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:54.319 He had it all figured out, right? 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.119 Check the boxes, 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.279 righteousness, 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.480 all of this. 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.440 What if I've been wrong 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.119 this whole time? 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.319 He might be thinking. 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:06.220 And Jesus once more 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.480 asks him another question. 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.919 Jesus asks the best questions. 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:13.079 Designed to cut to the heart. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.419 You are Israel's teacher. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.279 And do you not understand 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.039 these things? 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:21.079 He goes on to say, 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.279 you people do not 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.159 accept our testimony. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.779 I have spoken to you 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.579 of earthly things 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.379 and you do not believe. 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.839 How then will you believe 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.379 if I speak of heavenly things? 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:31.720 So what Jesus is saying here 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.819 is Nicodemus, 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.799 you bear some responsibility 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.759 for this blindness. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:38.000 You are a teacher of Israel. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:40.160 You are fully equipped 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.980 to recognize 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.819 that the Messiah 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.799 is sitting right in front of you 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:45.000 but you're ignorant. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.460 You're focused on signs 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:49.460 but not on the big picture 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.420 of the kingdom 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.440 that they point to. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.220 What Jesus is really saying 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.600 is that Nicodemus' failure 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:56.480 of understanding 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.759 was not a failure 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.160 of intellect or knowledge. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.519 It was a failure of belief. 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.120 Belief in Jesus' witness 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:04.840 and testimony. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.160 And again, 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.700 it's like 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.100 you can almost hear 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.640 the gears 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:11.200 in Nicodemus' mind. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.080 I've been searching 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:14.279 for this my whole life. 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:15.800 What would this mean 00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:16.800 for me if he's right? 00:21:18.040 --> 00:21:18.640 This isn't how 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.380 I thought this would go. 00:21:21.060 --> 00:21:22.320 I think we have to grapple 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:23.620 with these same questions, church. 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.459 There's a reason 00:21:25.459 --> 00:21:26.439 that a lot of us 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.519 spend our whole lives 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.959 in church 00:21:27.959 --> 00:21:29.779 with no real transformation, 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:33.059 with no real effect 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.039 on our daily lives. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:36.319 And Jesus has harsh words 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.739 for people like that. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:38.859 He says, 00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.899 this people honors me 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.479 with their lips 00:21:40.479 --> 00:21:41.119 but their hearts 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:42.119 are far from me. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.519 And that's because 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.179 there's a failure 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:45.159 of belief happening, 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:47.019 a failure to believe 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.239 Jesus' testimony 00:21:48.239 --> 00:21:49.959 about who he says he is, 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.439 and a failure to believe 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.019 how deeply we need 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.660 cleansing and heart transformation. 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:58.160 So we have to ask ourselves, 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.279 where are we looking? 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.779 Where are we looking 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.680 for that transformation? 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.940 Like Pastor Thomas 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.759 said last week, 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.600 are there areas 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.640 of our lives 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.360 that we keep 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:09.519 kind of plugging up 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:11.360 that we're not willing 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.259 to bring to the Lord 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.440 because we're afraid 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.640 of what it might mean? 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.600 Because we're afraid 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:17.700 of what we'd have to change. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.820 But y'all, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.000 Lent is a time 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.880 to lay ourselves bare. 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.460 It's a holy invitation 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:27.339 to let the Spirit 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.980 come in 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.660 and transform us 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:32.440 to submit to that. 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.680 And that is a blessed relief. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.160 This brings us 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.180 to our last point, 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:41.140 our true hope 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:42.180 for transformation. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.799 Again, 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.559 we see the way 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:47.319 that Jesus dignifies Nicodemus, 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.319 that he really meets him 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.039 where he is 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.400 by drawing this parallel 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.580 between himself 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:53.060 and the true story 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:53.820 and the story 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:54.580 of the Israelites 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.560 in the wilderness 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.700 from this book of Numbers. 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.940 Let me read it quickly. 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.220 They traveled 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.960 from Mount Hor 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.660 along the route 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.380 to the Red Sea 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.560 to go around Edom. 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.660 But the people 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.360 grew impatient 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:05.980 on the way. 00:23:06.280 --> 00:23:07.420 They spoke against God 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.240 and against Moses 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.720 and said, 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:10.259 why have you brought us 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.820 out of Egypt 00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:12.160 to die in the wilderness? 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.680 There is no bread, 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:15.060 there is no water, 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.160 and we detest 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.420 this miserable food. 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:19.640 Then the Lord 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.740 sent venomous snakes 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.340 among them. 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.440 They bit people 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:24.039 and many Israelites died. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.820 The people came to Moses 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.380 and said, 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.660 we sinned 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.180 when we spoke 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.860 against the Lord 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.759 and against you. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.580 Pray that the Lord 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.580 will take the snakes 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:33.460 away from us. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.519 So Moses prayed 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.140 for the people. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.500 The Lord said to Moses, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.660 make a snake 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.820 and put it on a pole 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.519 and anyone who is bitten 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.480 can look at it 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.180 and live. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:46.320 And so Moses 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.380 made a bronze snake 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.279 and put it up 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.880 on a pole. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.400 And then when anyone 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.640 was bitten by a snake 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:53.259 and looked at the bronze snake, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.680 they lived. 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:57.720 And we know 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.980 if we continue on 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.420 in the story 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.000 of the Israelites, 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.539 this was a temporary salvation. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.860 In fact, 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.960 in the book of Kings, 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.299 there's a part 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.380 where King Hezekiah 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.779 actually has to destroy 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.400 the snake 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.920 because people believe 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.279 that it had magical powers 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:13.720 instead of recognizing it 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.879 as for what it was, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.480 an instrument of grace 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.660 from God. 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.720 And the people fell back 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.799 into cycles of sin 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.319 again and again. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.420 And Nicodemus knows this story 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.559 just like he knows 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.500 the prophet Ezekiel. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.079 And he wouldn't have 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.039 understand the context 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.019 of the cross yet 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.299 like we do, 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.240 like John's readers 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.879 would have. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.899 But he's clearly 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:37.359 inviting Nicodemus 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.279 into new birth 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.639 and healing with himself 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:41.460 as a means of grace 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.960 for that, 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.200 as the grace. 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.259 And so just as 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.820 the Israelites 00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:47.420 can look at the snake 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.200 and be saved 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.840 from the poison 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:49.660 infecting them, 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.880 so Nicodemus and we 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.320 can look at Jesus 00:24:53.320 --> 00:24:54.660 and be saved 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.300 from the poison 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:56.000 of sin. 00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.620 So we come to it 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.160 at last. 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.840 John 3, 16. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.860 Probably the most famous 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.940 verse in the Bible. 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:06.220 For God so loved 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.700 the world 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.480 that he gave 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.820 his only begotten son 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.039 that whoever 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.599 believes in him 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.799 shall not perish 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.819 but shall have 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.639 eternal life. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.519 We see this verse 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.159 by the highway. 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.659 We see it at sports 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.500 games on posters. 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:21.259 We see it on drink cups 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.240 at In-N-Out Burger. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.200 As a matter of fact, 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:26.019 FYI, 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.859 if you're ever traveling 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.359 in the West. 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.339 But like Nicodemus, 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.539 so many of us 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.879 have a limited understanding 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:34.099 of this verse. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.519 Maybe we're thinking 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.720 that this eternal life 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:39.079 business is just 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.759 for the future. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.680 We're like, 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:41.980 well, 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:43.599 I do believe 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:46.480 and I'm really glad 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.299 that I'll be in heaven 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:47.740 with Jesus 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.639 and have eternal life 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:48.960 someday. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.400 Or we might think, 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.160 what's the point? 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.420 All this eternal life 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.359 stuff sounds suspect 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:54.740 anyway. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.319 The present world 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.940 is what we get 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.639 and then we're done. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:01.319 But that phrase, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.900 whoever believes in him, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.119 is really key here 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.859 because the word belief 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.059 harkens back 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.259 to John's prologue 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.239 in chapter one 00:26:09.239 --> 00:26:10.639 where he talks about 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.959 to those who believed 00:26:11.959 --> 00:26:12.599 in him, 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:13.879 to those who believed 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.459 in his name, 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.439 he gave the right 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:16.419 to become children 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.439 of God. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.739 And so we're not 00:26:19.739 --> 00:26:20.559 just reborn. 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:22.899 We're born into something. 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:23.939 We're born into 00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:25.139 the life of Christ. 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:27.159 We're born into 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.839 a family of believers. 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.519 And that starts now. 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:34.019 It starts now. 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:36.720 And this is for the world. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.680 So again, 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.379 Jesus is massively 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.519 expanding this 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.759 from just being 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.579 for the Jews 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:44.579 to being for the whole world. 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.680 And that includes you, 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.639 it includes me, 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.579 it includes everybody 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.579 throughout time and space. 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.579 That is why Jesus came. 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.839 And so no matter 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.660 what you've done, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.500 who you are, 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.379 Jesus wants to give you 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.139 eternal life. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:01.240 And that life starts now. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:06.299 This conversation 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.240 isn't the end 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.539 of Nicodemus' story. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.799 John writes about him 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.019 in two more key scenes. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.500 In one scene, 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.460 the Sanhedrin's 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.440 trying to arrest Jesus. 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.099 And Nicodemus says, 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:20.279 does our law condemn a man 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.400 without first hearing him 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.960 to find out 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.720 what he's been doing? 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:24.220 And he gets ridiculed 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.200 by the whole group, 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.700 like, oh, 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.639 do you support him too? 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:29.700 And then we see him 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.440 a second time. 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.000 We see him 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.500 after Jesus' crucifixion. 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.540 And so this scene 00:27:35.540 --> 00:27:36.920 that Michelangelo carved 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:38.160 out of a block of marble, 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.060 in some fashion, 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.840 it really happened. 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.220 And Nicodemus 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.900 was really there. 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.540 Because under Roman law, 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.220 a person's body 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.940 could be claimed 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.720 from the cross 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.680 by next of kin. 00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:52.039 But in a case of sedition, 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.560 which is what 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.640 the charges were 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.340 against Jesus, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.320 in a case of sedition, 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.480 often the bodies 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.980 were left 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.180 for the vultures, 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.740 left to rot. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.720 They could be up 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.759 on the cross for weeks. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.340 So Nicodemus 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:09.620 and Joseph of Arimathea, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.060 who John says 00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:12.140 was a disciple 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:13.060 but in secret 00:28:13.060 --> 00:28:14.420 for fear of the Jews, 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.420 they go and they ask Pilate 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.880 for Jesus' body. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.500 And Pilate says yes. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:22.539 So they actually 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.640 took Jesus' body 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.660 down from the cross. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.060 So think about 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.799 the tenderness 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:28.480 and the intimacy of this. 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.580 Jesus' body 00:28:30.580 --> 00:28:31.600 was covered in blood 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.880 and sweat 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.600 and bruises. 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.340 He was broken. 00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:36.700 He was limp. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.900 Dead. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.279 They would have 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.980 washed his scarred, 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.519 washed all the blood 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.740 off his scarred body. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.200 And then it says 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.039 Nicodemus brought 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:49.259 75 pounds of spices. 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:51.680 And they wrapped him 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.500 in linen cloth. 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.460 Spices meant for a king. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.580 And y'all remember 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.980 all of Jesus' disciples 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.680 had fled 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.920 at this point. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:05.299 And while his mother 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.560 and some of the other women 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:07.259 had stayed, 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.539 they didn't have the money 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.779 or the power 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.400 or the influence 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.019 to do this 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.220 but Joseph of Arimathea 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.200 and Nicodemus did. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:17.059 And although they 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.980 had been unwilling 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.759 until this moment 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.960 to publicly affiliate 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.920 themselves with Jesus, 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.600 they stepped forward. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.500 They risked their lives 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:27.240 and their position. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:30.200 Why would they do this? 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:33.100 Because they were reborn. 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:36.019 They were given new hearts. 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:38.359 Because their encounters 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:40.539 with the love of Christ 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:42.259 gave them courage 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.639 to step out of the darkness 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.579 into the day. 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.240 And y'all, 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.119 you have to remember 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.859 they didn't know 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:49.160 the resurrection was coming. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.220 This was Saturday. 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.279 As far as they knew, 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:56.259 they had nothing to gain 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:58.079 and everything to lose. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:30:00.679 they didn't know 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.359 what was coming. 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.399 But we do. 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.240 We do. 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.919 So the questions 00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:10.000 for you this morning 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.779 are, 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:13.099 will you let him 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:14.599 lead you out of darkness 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:16.379 into life in him? 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.279 And will you look at him 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:21.439 and let him transform you 00:30:21.439 --> 00:30:23.339 and give you a new heart? 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.659 Let's pray. 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:33.779 Lord, 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.199 we are in desperate need of you 00:30:35.199 --> 00:30:36.699 and in your transformation. 00:30:39.439 --> 00:30:40.240 I pray 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.559 that we would be open 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.039 and willing 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.699 to step out of the darkness 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.460 into the light. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.220 Lord, 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:46.819 we thank you 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.539 for your spirit 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.559 that works in us. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:51.379 We long for new hearts. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.740 We long for your work 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.519 of transformation. 00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.980 And thank you 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:57.019 that we get to do this 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.659 with you, 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.160 Jesus. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.240 Thank you 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.340 that eternal life 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.620 means life in you. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.779 So would you give us courage 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:07.019 when there are places 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:08.120 of unbelief in us, 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.320 Lord, 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:08.980 would you help 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.920 our unbelief 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:13.140 that we may come 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:13.980 to you in faith 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.240 and be transformed. 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.820 In the name of the Father 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:18.720 and the Son 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.759 and the Holy Spirit. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.279 Amen.