Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. Pharisees taught the laws of Moses to the Jewish people, they would sometimes add their own laws as well. They thought that they were better than everyone else. Nicodemus was a Pharisee of high position and authority. He had heard Jesus teaching the people and seen some of the miracles that Jesus had performed. He wanted to talk with Jesus alone so he went to see Him at night under cover of darkness. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again to see the kingdom of God. This confused Nicodemus. Jesus told him that he was once born in the flesh and now must be born in the Spirit. God created us with a physical life; body, soul and spirit. God gives us a spiritual life when we receive Jesus as our Savior and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us.
Jesus reminds Nicodemus that Moses lifted up the brass snake in the desert so those that were bitten by the poisonous snakes could be cured. So also the Son of Man (Jesus) must be lifted up on a cross to take the punishment for the sins of the world, and He would give eternal life to those who believed in Him. (John 3:1-18)
Just For You:
Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only one who can take away our sin (the bad things we say, do or think against God) and give us eternal life so that we can live in heaven. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins and God raised Him from the dead 3 days later where He now sits at God's right hand.
Memory Verse:
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9
Do You Know?
1. What were Pharisees?
2. Why did Nicodemus go to Jesus at night?
3. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus he needed to do to be saved?
4. How can we be born again?
5. What did Jesus say about Moses raising the brass snake on a pole?
6. What does our verse say that Jesus is?
Do You Know? (Answers)
1. Teachers of the law
2. He wanted to talk to Jesus alone and didn't want to be seen
3. That he must be born again
4. By asking God to forgive us for our sins and by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior
5. Just like the brass snake was lifted up, so the Son of Man (Jesus) must also be lifted up
6. The Door
1. Teachers of the law
2. He wanted to talk to Jesus alone and didn't want to be seen
3. That he must be born again
4. By asking God to forgive us for our sins and by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior
5. Just like the brass snake was lifted up, so the Son of Man (Jesus) must also be lifted up
6. The Door