Transitions: Transitions from Old to New: Nicodemus' Story

This week, we’ll stay in the New Testament and investigate an incident between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus from the Gospel of John. In this story, we’ll see how Jesus helps a person make a mental transition from an old way of thinking to a new perspective. Because of his time with Jesus, Nicodemus eventually accepted Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. 

Every person who becomes a Christ-follower has their own story of how Jesus met them and became their Savior. But, this will not be the last time Jesus calls us into a new way of thinking. Have you ever experienced a change of heart yourself? For Nicodemus, this meant opening his heart to a new way of thinking. Do you sense that God is shifting your thinking about something that is important to Him? Throughout our lives, as we learn more, our thoughts can change. Sometimes we come to the point where we want to reconsider our former way of thinking. Jesus can meet us there and be our Guide.

How to Use This Guide 

Thank you for taking the time to do this Bible study. When we dig deeper into God’s word, He promises to bless us. We follow in the footsteps of King David, who wrote in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

This guide will provide a weekly framework for spiritual conversations with friends or family. We encourage you to reach out to a friend or two, pick a time to get together each week, and work through this guide together. This Bible study can also be a good tool for families, perhaps coordinated with mealtimes.

What does the Bible say?

Read John 3:1-21

There are two main figures in this chapter, Jesus and Nicodemus. The third voice comes from the writer of the story, John. How does John describe Nicodemus in John 3:1? What does Nicodemus call Jesus in 3:2? How does Nicodemus describe Jesus in this verse? Why do you think Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night? 

Let’s back up a moment. How could John have known about this conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus? Perhaps he was eavesdropping. More likely, he became friends with Nicodemus, a man who eventually provided embalming spices for Jesus’ burial (John 19:39). In his conversations with Nicodemus, John must have realized the important teaching that Jesus gave to him and knew that it must be included in his gospel account. Some Bibles put Jesus’ words in red. If you have a Bible like this, you’ll see that Jesus does most of the talking in this story, while Nicodemus asks the questions. 

What is the first thing Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:3? This kind of statement is somewhat typical of Jesus. He seems to be giving the answer to a question that no one has asked, and yet as we read further, we see that Jesus has a knack at going straight to the heart of what the people who approach Him are really seeking, even if they don’t understand it themselves, even if they’re afraid to ask their true question. 25 times In John’s gospel alone, Jesus states a truth that begins like this one. In each instance, the two opening words are the same in Greek: Amēn, Amēn. Sometimes this is translated as “Verily, verily” or “Truly, Truly.” The NIV has, “Very truly.” When Jesus begins with these two words, as He does three times in His conversation with Nicodemus, it is a signal that what He is getting ready to say is something very important. 

In John 3:2, Nicodemus called Jesus “Rabbi” or Teacher, thereby acknowledging that He has come from God. For a man learned in the Hebrew scriptures as any Pharisee would be, signs such as healing the sick, blind, and lame, as he had seen Jesus do, were proof of God’s blessing and presence. 

Jesus’ response to Nicodemus takes the conversation in a different direction. What truth does Jesus give to Nicodemus in John 3:3? There are only two references to “the kingdom of God” in the gospel of John. Both appear in this conversation (see John 3:5). Later in John, Jesus states that “My kingdom is not of this world…my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). From Jesus’ answer, it seems that Nicodemus desired to see the kingdom of God come in Israel and was wondering if Jesus was the one who would usher it in. He had seen Jesus work miracles. Could He be the Messiah that the Jewish people were awaiting? But, Jesus puts a condition on those who would see the kingdom of God. What would need to happen to a person so that they could see the kingdom of God and recognize its King (see John 3:3)? 

Jesus’ answer seemed absurd to Nicodemus. What did he say in John 3:4? Jesus responds with another Amēn, Amēn statement in John 3:5. Throughout John 3:5-8, Jesus begins to focus on the role of the Spirit in a person’s journey to understand the nature of God’s kingdom and its King. What kinds of qualities does the Spirit have in these verses? How is the Spirit different than what is human, corporeal, or of the flesh? 

Nicodemus still seems perplexed, but curious in John 3:9. Jesus responds to his question with a rebuke. This time, John does not record Nicodemus’ reply. But, we know the end of the story. This conversation was not for naught, because it seems that Nicodemus eventually came to believe in Jesus. What is Jesus’ criticism of teachers like Nicodemus in John 3:10-12? What would have to happen to Nicodemus before he could believe in Jesus? 

Jesus referred many times to Himself as “the Son of Man” in our gospel accounts. What do you learn about “the Son of Man” in John 3:13-14? When Jesus calls Himself “the Son of Man,” He is emphasizing His humanness. He is the one who came from heaven, He is God. But, He is also born of a human being, His mother Mary. On earth, Jesus was God in the flesh. Go back and read the opening words of John’s gospel, especially John 1:1 and 1:14. God became flesh and lived among us in the Person of Jesus Christ. This truth is revealed to us by the Spirit of God. We need the Spirit to help us understand this, because, otherwise, like Nicodemus, we cannot take in and believe heavenly things. 

In John 3:14, Jesus presses His point further. Moses would have been the main authority for a person trained in the law like Nicodemus was. Nicodemus would have known very well the story of how Moses lifted up a bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness so that people could look at it and be healed of their snake bites (see Numbers 21:4-9). What Nicodemus would eventually find out is that Jesus was going to allow His body to be lifted up on a cross, and everyone who believed that He died for them as their Savior would have eternal life. Nicodemus saw this for himself when Jesus was crucified and even brought the spices to embalm his body after His death. 

John recorded Nicodemus’ interaction with Jesus so that all who follow Jesus could read it, including us. The conversation inspired John to record one of the most beloved verses in our Bible, John 3:16. Think about what Jesus has just said to Nicodemus and read John 3:16-20. Notice the words about darkness and light. This is a favorite theme in John’s gospel and also in his epistle, 1 John. Even though Nicodemus came to Jesus in the dark, Jesus revealed the light of truth. 

We all walk in darkness without knowing the true Light. The darkness of our lives is a result of our sin. Sin separates us from the holy God who created us. We cannot overcome the chasm that separates us from God. But, Jesus became a human being like us. He laid down His life for us on the cross, making a bridge between humanity and God. Because of Jesus we can be with God and feel His love and life in us. Have you accepted this truth? Do you know Jesus as the One who saved you from your sins and brought you into fellowship with God? If not, you can pray these words right now:

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin and recognize that Your mercy and grace gifts You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith, I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control.

In Your precious name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, you are a Christian and the promises of God are yours. The Holy Spirit now lives in you and will lead and guide you for the rest of your life. 

Your conversion is not the last time God will intervene in your life to change your mind about something. We all have blind spots that keep us from loving “the world” as God does. You might think, I love some people, but not everyone. God says that He loves the world. This means that we should too. Sometimes we can be pharisaical about who we think should and shouldn’t be accepted. The rights to judgment belong only to God. Is there any person or group of people in your life that you have a hard time loving? Perhaps you could go to Jesus and ask Him to shed His light into your heart and mind so that you can please Him. Just like Nicodemus, God can change our minds so that they align more with His.