BELIEVE IT OR NOT

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HIM (John 3:1-21, 36) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.(John 3:1-6) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) This chapter 3 of John is incredable, I have read it so many times over the years, and I just read it again like it was the first time, because it still speaks to me deep down in my soul. We have a very presious gift in Jesius and the salvation He brought to us, in the fact we can be born again, we not only are born of the flesh, but we can have new life in the Spirit, that comes now to dwell within us Nicodemus hear in the beginn9ng of this chapter, is like many people today, who genuinely do not understand truely who Jesus is. And the challenge He presents, when He says, that only those who are “born again” can come into the kingdom of God (John 3:3). For some, the talk of a "new birth" may seem pretty familiar to most of us as believers today. But back when Jesus walked the earth, it was very strange to the Pharisee, and to those who had not yet believed. (v. 4)."Nicodemus had some questions about being born again, can a man enter a second time into Hhis mothers womb and be born again?" Jesus here has patients, but as Jesus did, He speaks very profatically, (5-8) Then in verses 14- 16,He sends the message deep into Nicodemus's soul. I must say, these verses have been the verses that has had the most impact on me from the first time I heard them until today. If you have a spirit that leans towards God at all, these verse should speak to you, if they do not, then I believe you have hardened your heart. Listen again, now, with an ipen heart. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He "gave His (only) begotten Son", that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:14-16) Who of us, would give up our ONLY son, to save other sinners? Anyhow, I believe, Nicodemus, believed because he advocated for Jesus to receive a fair hearing (7:50-51) He said, Jesus needed a fair trial, they just couldn't condnm Him with out hearing Him first. Then Nicodemus also helped prepare Him for burial (19:39-41). Hear to what extent he went to, to do an honourble burial for Jesus. John 19:"39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid." Nicodemus’ faith in Christ was growing, and this little faith prompted His love for God/Jesus,love for the Savior, the same faith and love that should propt us today and challenge us to also extend the Love of God to others. Father God, Help me to once again grasp the message brought forth in the 3rd chapter of John. Not only grasp it but to proclaim it to those who cross my path, whether it be on Face Boo, or in person, may your word go forth to save souls. Thank you, for having John write this book, and put your words on paper so that we might see the light, who is Jesus Chriat Himself. When we reach, John 14:6, Jesus tells us, He is the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to you, with coming through believing in Jesus first. It is in your name I pray AMEN