Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)
Questions Raised
Text: John 3:9-11
“Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’
Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.’”John 3:9-11
QUESTIONS RAISED
Nicodemus could not fully grasp what the Lord Jesus was saying. This was a teaching that was new to him. He also feared the implications of what Jesus had said.
1.He was obviously not “born again”.
2.He feared that he would not be able to see the kingdom of God if he was not “born again”.
3.Deep down, he feared that what Jesus had said to him was correct but he was not quite sure how he should address the matter further!
Thus he lamely said, “How can these things be?”
THE ANSWER GIVEN
Jesus had to deal with the deeper problem that He knew existed in the heart of Nicodemus.
1. The teacher of Israel
a. Nicodemus was an acclaimed teacher of Israel.
b. Some of the deeper problems would include the following:
i. Pride
ii. Disdain of the teaching of Jesus because He was not as well-educated as Nicodemus.
iii. Rejection of the teachings of Jesus (overt or subtle).
2. “Do not know these things”
a. This was a gentle rebuke.
b. The truth should have become obvious to Nicodemus.
c. But he would have to humble himself to Jesus, confessing his sins and ignorance.
d. This was a difficult thing to do for a famous teacher.
3.“You do not receive Our witness”
a. God had spoken to Israel through His servants the prophets but was rejected.
b. Jesus had come to teach Israel great truths too but He was not easily believed in.
c. The problem of rejection of the truth was a very real problem that had to be addressed.
经文:约翰福音 3: 9-11
“尼哥底母问他说:“怎能有这事呢?”
耶稣回答说:“你是以色列人的先生,还不明白这事吗? 我实实在在地告诉你;我们所说的,是我们知道的;我们所见证的,是我们见过的;你们却不领受我们的见证。”《约翰福音 3: 9-11》