v.1-15
Background: One of those people who saw the miraculous signs
and believed (2:23) came to Jesus 3:1-2. This passage explained why “Jesus
would not entrust himself to the, because he knew all people” (2:24).
Main point: Although Nicodemus confessed that Jesus was from
God and God was with Him v.2, Jesus wanted him to see that He is the Messiah
Who would bring the Kingdom of God. Just like His message in the other Gospel,
“Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near (Mk 1:15)” Jesus here wanted Nicodemus
to get ready to see/enter the Kingdom of God v.3-6. Nicodemus was not lacking
wisdom when he argued about the spiritual birth, “how can a man...v.4?” “How can these things
be? (v.9)” He simply did not accept. Jesus confirmed that “we know...we have
seen...v.11,” and He was from heaven v.12,13. He should be the object of their
faith v.14-15.
Reflection: 尼哥德慕原本是一個法利賽人他對神有一些認識,v.2也見過耶穌的神蹟,覺得耶穌是從神來的.所以,他去見耶穌v.2.
但是耶穌要他面對的卻是他自己是一個怎麼樣的人v.3.
耶穌要他重生, 因為耶穌就是彌賽亞,
神的國要來了,人要面對神. 所以必須要悔改
Mk 1:15. 所以3章7節耶穌說不只是尼哥德慕,
所有人, （眾數） 你們必須重生,
包括我.
面對神的時候,
我需要一個徹底的改變,
一個新的生命,
a radical change, 不只是小修小補.
當我要事奉的時候 我可以用我的經驗,
或者從前預備的筆記再說一次,
但今天的經文提醒我不是這樣的.靠自己是不可以的面對神要有一個徹底的改變,用從神来的新生命去事奉祂.
v.16-21
Main point: This passage explained the manner and the degree
God loved the world (NET notes): He saves the believers from being
destroyed/perished/being condemned v.16-17 Those who do not believe in the Son
as their Savior has already been condemned or the judgment is for sure v.18.
Why is it? Because when Jesus came into the world they did not come to Him.
Therefore there is no rescue for them in the future judgment. With their own
deeds they could not save themselves.
Difficult verse: 3:21 But the one who practices the truth
comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been
done in God.
What does “his deeds have been done in God” mean about the
light lover? If they have doing God’s will, why did they still need Jesus?
(PNTC) while the lover of darkness shuns the light out of
fear of exposure, shame and conviction, the lover of light does not prance
forward to parade his wares with cocky self-righteousness, but comes into the
light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done
through God. This strange expression makes it clear that the lover of light is
not some intrinsically superior person...they will turn to the ‘lifted up’ Son
of Man with the same simple, desperate, unqualified faith as the Israelites
displayed who turned to the bronze snake in the desert (vv. 13–15). By such
faith and such faith alone can anyone experience the new birth (vv. 3, 5) and
thereby gain eternal life (vv. 15–16).
v.22-36
Main point: It is ok for John to be less important than
Jesus v.30 because Jesus was from heaven v.27, comes from above/heaven v.31,
whom God has sent and speaks the words of God v.34, and most importantly He is
the son v.35-36. Nicodemus could not accept Jesus’ words. John the baptist was
totally different than him.
Difficult passage: What did John’s disciples and the Jews
argue about the ceremonial washing? What did it have in common with Jesus’
baptism and John’s baptism? (see NET notes).
Reflection: 30節,
祂必興旺,我必衰微.原文的意思就是說,
他越來越越重要,
而我越來越不重要,这是必須的. 因為約翰看到耶穌是從神來的,是從天上來的, 所以他比萬有都重要.
我們呢?我們會看一件事是從神來的就比萬物都重要嗎?甚至自己越來越不受歡迎,也沒有所謂嗎？
求神幫助我,
只要看到是神的差派,
無論是有多辛苦,
都把这事看為是最重要的事.比我自己還重要.
Reflection:這段經文提醒我,
不信的人不需要等到將來才知道自己通不過神的審判,
現在就可以肯定了,
不可能通過神的審判.
換句話來說, 人靠自己的行為是沒有可能通得過神的審判的.
每一個人都好似19至20節一樣, 不愛受責備, 喜歡躲在黑暗裏,
繼續行惡. 我想若不是神愛我,
給我另一條出路,
就是主耶穌, 我也肯定是一樣的,
必定滅亡. 當我看到神愛世人,
這幾個字的時候,
我就想世人是誰呢?
就是好像我一樣的,
沒有希望的罪人.
有時不想發脾氣,
罵老公,生氣吵架, 但是做不到. 就像這些人一樣,
一定沒有永生. 那麼愛又是什麼呢?就是神不忍心我們走這一條不歸之路,
給我們救主耶穌.
感謝神！
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