Episode #71. Today we’ll read the 3rd chapter of John together: Jesus voices the most succinct definition of Christianity to Nicodemis, and John the Baptist tells his disciples that Jesus must increase and John must decrease.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #71. Today we’ll read the 3rd chapter of John together: Jesus voices the most succinct definition of Christianity to Nicodemis, and John the Baptist tells his disciples that Jesus must increase and John must decrease.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
It was SO good to be back in Yosemite National Park again. There is something about looking up at the grandeur of El Capitan and Half Dome that make me feel small and humble and grateful all at the same time. It somehow restores and energizes me. And it didn’t hurt that only 1700 cars were spread over that 1169 square miles….there was plenty of space for all of us. And, as an added bonus, the ticket gives us access for seven days. So, guess who’s going hiking next week? “Thank You, Lord. What a blessing to live so close to one of Your most beautiful creations.”
John Chapter 3:1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “I assure you: We speak what We know and We testify to what We have seen, but you do not accept Our testimony. 12 If I have told you about things that happen on earth and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about things of heaven? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended 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 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. 19 “This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” 22 After this, Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside, where He spent time with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing-and everyone is flocking to Him.” 27 John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The One who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true. 34 For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
I truly believe that everything we need to know about being saved from God’s judgement of sin is here in this chapter. We all know John 3:16…most of us probably in the King James Version, but it’s still recognizable and true in the CSB. But we cannot ignore verses 17 and especially 18 if we are going to understand the Gospel. Adam was the first human being created by God, and His creation was good and perfect. But Adam sinned. And as descendants of Adam, in our natural state, before we ever take a step or utter our first words, we are sinners. So, you see, we are condemned already. Now, we’ve already established in John 1:1, that Jesus is God. But He had to come to earth in the form of a man – the Son of God – so that He could do what Adam couldn’t do – live a sinless life. Then He chose to die as a sacrifice for our sins – the Spotless Lamb. But He didn’t stay dead. He rose from that death that we deserved. Therefore, if we believe He is Who is says He is and we receive this gift of grace – unearned favor – we do not die a spiritual death. We live eternally with Him. We are righteous in God’s sight through Christ, and only thru Christ. We cannot do any of this on our own. Let’s pray. Oh, Lord, hear my prayer. Open eyes and ears and hearts today to this, Your Truth. This decision is more important than where we go to college, who we marry, and how big a house we should buy. Let the urgency of understanding and decision sink in and grow into belief, and to joy, and to life. Life with You. Thank You. Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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Bible Study Resources
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