05/20/2026
What is the most famous or quoted Bible verse? If your answer is John 3:16 you’re right. This is the one most taught to children, the one people remember, and in fact is the Gospel all in one verse. But do you know the background or context of it? Do you know who said it? Our lesson this week was from John chap 3 and it actually begins by describing a man named Nicodemus. He was a very important leader of the Jews. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, probably on the Sanhedrin (court/governing body of Israel) with a pedigree a mile long. He was at the top of the list and thought…..like most Jews ….that he would certainly be ushered into the Kingdom of GOD b/c of who he was. Nicodemus was very intrigued by Jesus and came one “night”(another whole story) to talk to Him. So we find out that John chap 3 is a conversation with Jesus and Nicodemus and Nico starts by admitting that Jesus is special, addressing Him as “Rabbi” (respected teacher) but also saying that He could not perform “these signs(miracles) unless GOD were with Him”. It is here that Jesus says,”…..unless someone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD.” Nico has a “wait…what” moment! Totally confused, he asks Jesus how anyone could return to their mother’s womb to be reborn. Of course Nico was only thinking of physical birth and Jesus was speaking of a spiritual rebirth. The Jews (and most others….even today) had come to think it was who you were or what you did that would determine if you entered Heaven. In verse 14, Jesus reminded Nico of the cure GOD gave Moses for the plague stricken
Children in the wilderness…..they had to only believe and look. And then ….in big red letters ….Jesus tells him, “ For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS one and only Son, that whosoever (everyone….anyone) who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting (eternal) life.” Jesus was describing a spiritual rebirth! The cure for mankind! Verse 16 is followed by “GOD did not send HIS Son to condemn the world, but to save the world thru Him”. Sin condemns us already…and if we do not accept the cure …we will be lost forever. All it takes is believing! Not accomplishments, not a pedigree, just trusting. The spiritual rebirth….the Cure from a loving FATHER, by Holy Spirit, thru a willing Son. Do you believe??
In Him who SAID it,
Mrs Leesa
PS
How about Nicodemus? Did he believe after his nighttime meeting with Jesus? Yes he did…,in fact he helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’s body and place Him in the tomb after the crucifixion. He indeed believed!!
