Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. He’s sneaking in. He knows there are those upset over Jesus, but Nicodemus says, “We know you come from God.” Nicodemus is speaking for the crowd and stating the obvious that some refuse to admit.

Jesus doesn’t respond to the comment. I wonder if instead He’s responding to a question in Nicodemus’ heart.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that you must be born of the water and the Spirit to enter God’s Kingdom. I would relate that to two baptisms. We must have our sins removed, and we must have the Spirit of God in us.

Nicodemus doesn’t understand. I’m not sure much of the church today has understanding of the mystery of salvation.

Jesus continues speaking mysteries and says that the Son of Man will be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent, so that those who believe may have eternal life.

Jesus will be lifted up like a serpent because He will have to become sin for us.

He will do it because God so loved the world.

The Father gives His Son to be beaten, mocked, torn, killed, so that the world might be saved.

This Son, who will choose to submit to that treatment, came into a world where the people loved the darkness rather than the light because they do wicked things.

Jesus says that it’s the one who does what is true who comes to the light. They do so in order that it may be clearly seen that their works have been carried out in God.

Our only good works are done in Christ. We have no good thing in us. The light that we’re supposed to shine before men is the light of Christ. He does the willing and the working and produces the fruit. Our only lasting work is what He accomplishes.

Christ is the light in us and the Father wants to display His glory in and through us.

Those who believe obey and see life. They live with the life of the one who has been given all things from the Father.