Sun,
Jan 26
1. A PROMINENT MAN SEEKS OUT JESUS
a. Who was Nicodemus, and how was he considered in the eyes of the people? John 3:1, 10.
“Nicodemus held a high position of trust in the Jewish nation. He was highly educated, and possessed talents of no ordinary character, and he was an honored member of the national council. . . . Though rich, learned, and honored, he had been strangely attracted by the humble Nazarene.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 167.
“He was a strict Pharisee, and prided himself on his good works. He was widely esteemed for his benevolence and his liberality in sustaining the temple service, and he felt secure of the favor of God.”—Ibid., p. 171.
b. At what hour did Nicodemus go to meet Jesus? John 3:2 (first part).
“Learning by special inquiry the Saviour’s place of retirement in the Mount of Olives, he waited until the city was hushed in slumber, and then sought Him.”—Ibid., p. 168.
Mon,
Jan 27
2. THE PRIVATE INTERVIEW
a. What shows the kind understanding of Jesus in receiving His visitor at such a late hour of night? Psalm 31:20, 21.
“[Nicodemus] greatly desired an interview with Jesus, but shrank from seeking Him openly. It would be too humiliating for a ruler of the Jews to acknowledge himself in sympathy with a teacher as yet so little known. And should his visit come to the knowledge of the Sanhedrin, it would draw upon him their scorn and denunciation. He resolved upon a secret interview, excusing this on the ground that if he were to go openly, others might follow his example.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 168.
b. Describe how Nicodemus began his interview with Jesus. John 3:2.
“In the presence of Christ, Nicodemus felt a strange timidity, which he endeavored to conceal under an air of composure and dignity. ‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.’ By speaking of Christ’s rare gifts as a teacher, and also of His wonderful power to perform miracles, he hoped to pave the way for his interview. His words were designed to express and to invite confidence; but they really expressed unbelief. He did not acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah, but only a teacher sent from God.”—Ibid.
c. With what concept did Christ abruptly surprise Nicodemus? John 3:3.
“Instead of recognizing this salutation, Jesus bent His eyes upon the speaker, as if reading his very soul. In His infinite wisdom He saw before Him a seeker after truth. He knew the object of this visit, and with a desire to deepen the conviction already resting upon His listener’s mind, He came directly to the point, saying solemnly, yet kindly, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3, margin.
“Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth.”—Ibid., pp. 168–171.
Tue,
Jan 28
3. THE NEW BIRTH
a. How did Nicodemus respond to what Christ said he needed—and, like him, why do we all need a new birth experience? John 3:4–8.
“The figure of the new birth, which Jesus had used, was not wholly unfamiliar to Nicodemus. Converts from heathenism to the faith of Israel were often compared to children just born. Therefore he must have perceived that the words of Christ were not to be taken in a literal sense. But by virtue of his birth as an Israelite he regarded himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that he needed no change. Hence his surprise at the Saviour’s words. He was irritated by their close application to himself. The pride of the Pharisee was struggling against the honest desire of the seeker after truth. He wondered that Christ should speak to him as He did, not respecting his position as ruler in Israel.
“Surprised out of his self-possession, he answered Christ in words full of irony, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Like many others when cutting truth is brought home to the conscience, he revealed the fact that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. There is in him nothing that responds to spiritual things; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
“But the Saviour did not meet argument with argument. Raising His hand with solemn, quiet dignity, He pressed the truth home with greater assurance, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, p. 171.
b. When and how can an individual be born again? John 1:12, 13.
“ ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son,’ that man might be reconciled to God. Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which, says Jesus, ‘he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ ”—The Great Controversy, p. 467.
“Through [the] simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are as a child born into the family of God, and He loves you as He loves His Son.”—Steps to Christ, p. 52.
Wed,
Jan 29
4. CLEANSING AND REGENERATION
a. What symbolizes the cleansing and regeneration that comes with the new birth? Mark 16:16 (first part).
“The converting power of God can transform inherited and cultivated tendencies; for the religion of Jesus is uplifting. ‘Born again’ means a transformation, a new birth in Christ Jesus.”—The Adventist Home, p. 206.
“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, ‘The Lord our Righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6.
“Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing.’ And to them is fulfilled the promise: ‘I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.” —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 91.
b. What is declared about the evil of our human nature and God’s plan to transform us? John 3:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 5:26, 27.
“It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. . . . Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.”—Steps to Christ, p. 18.
Thu,
Jan 30
5. NEW LIFE AND FRESH ACTIONS
a. What message were apostles later to write regarding the change in focus that comes with the new birth? Galatians 2:20; 1 John 2:15–17.
“The converting power of God can transform inherited and cultivated tendencies; for the religion of Jesus is uplifting. ‘Born again’ means a transformation, a new birth in Christ Jesus.”—The Adventist Home, p. 206.
“[Paul] was convinced that if the minds of men could be brought to comprehend the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, all selfishness would be banished from their hearts. He directs the mind first to the position which Christ occupied in heaven, in the bosom of His Father; he reveals Him afterward as laying off His glory, voluntarily subjecting Himself to all the humbling conditions of man’s nature, assuming the responsibilities of a servant, and becoming obedient unto death, and that death the most ignominious and revolting, the most shameful, the most agonizing—the death of the cross. Can Christians contemplate this wonderful exhibition of the love of God to man without emotions of love and a realizing sense of the fact that we are not our own? Such a Master should not be served from grudging, covetous, selfish motives.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 458.
“I would address you as Christ addressed Nicodemus: ‘Ye must be born again.’ Those who have Christ ruling within will feel no desire to imitate the world’s display. They will carry everywhere the standard of the cross, ever bearing witness of higher aims and nobler themes than those in which worldlings are absorbed. Our dress, our dwellings, our conversation, should testify of our consecration to God. What power would attend those who thus evinced that they had given up all for Christ.”—Ibid., vol. 5, p. 189.
Fri,
Jan 31
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Because of his good works, how did Nicodemus view himself?
2. How did Nicodemus behave in the presence of Christ?
3. What does it mean to be “born again”?
4. How does the new birth take place?
5. What change in attitude comes as a result of the new birth, and why?