This chapter makes the case that Jewish ritual will not get you into heaven; you must be spiritually born again. Perhaps Nicodemus did not understand but he continued to revere Jesus as shown when he helped Joseph of Arimathea remove Jesus from the cross and place him in a tomb. He would have been at great risk to do so.
There was some debate in our group about the meaning of 3:13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. It would seem to contradict other passages in the bible that refer to those already in heaven; Elijah and Enoch were said to have ascended; however, if you read 3:12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how than will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? in conjunction with 3:13 you can make the case that Jesus was pointing out that having come from heaven, he was the only one qualified to "speak of heavenly things."
Note: It seems Nicodemus wasn't the only Jewish religious official that had reverence for Christ in that Nicodemus said in 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, WE know that you are a teacher who has come from God...
1 comment:
It is amazing the scriptural cross reference, Proverbs 30:4:
Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!
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