John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 3, Day 2

Prayer

Give your soul a moment of silence to align with your body. Express gratitude to God for the opportunity to be with Him and invite Him to meet you at this time.

Bible Reading: John 3:9-15

Read these verses three times slowly.

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Reflection & Questions

Yesterday, we read the first half of Nichodemus’ conversation with Jesus. Jesus told him that he needed to be born again. “How can this be?” is Nichodemus’ response. He just can’t understand what it is that Jesus is talking about. It is like Jesus is speaking another language. Jesus’ reply is a disappointment that Nichodemus is held up as a teacher and can’t understand. The truth is, just because someone is steeped in knowledge, doesn’t mean they have understanding. Nichodemus would have had the whole of the Old Testament memorized, and yet a simple conversation with Jesus has stumped him. He doesn’t have spiritual sight.

Jesus helps him understand a bit more, by showing how the stories of the Old Testament are a foreshadowing of Him. Like when Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness. This is a story from Numbers 21:4-9, where the people were dying of a disease under the judgment of God, but for those who looked up at the bronze snake that Moses lifted up, they were healed. Jesus is saying that that story is pointing to me. He uses one of his favorite titles for himself – the Son of Man. As people look to me, he says, they won’t just be healed – “everyone who believes may have eternal life in [me].”

Jesus is making an extraordinary claim here. And he is bringing sight for Nichodemus who would have read that passage a thousand times and never thought it pointed to the Messiah. And for us reading John’s account, it shows us that Jesus knew exactly what He had come to do. He would have to die on a cross to save us from our sin.

1. In today’s verses, Jesus is teaching Nichodemus more about Himself – giving him sight. How have you grown recently in your understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done?
2. What more would you like to learn about Jesus? Talk to Him about that.

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?