The Mission of Christ: Saving the World John 3.1-16

To avoid being seen, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish leader, came to Jesus at night saying, “Rabbi, we know you are from God, for no one could perform these signs without God’s presence.”

Jesus replied, “No one can see God’s kingdom without being born from above.”

Nicodemus asked, “How can someone be born again when old?”

Jesus answered, “One must be born of water and Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh; Spirit gives birth to spirit. The wind blows where it will—you hear it but cannot tell its origin or destination. So, it is with those born of the Spirit.”

John baptized with water the baptism of repentance. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit the baptism of regeneration—a new beginning, a new birth, born anew from above.

Nicodemus said, “How can this be?”

Jesus replied, “You are Israel’s teacher and do not understand? We speak about what we know, yet you do not believe it. If you doubt when we speak of earthly things, how will you believe in heavenly ones? No one has ascended to heaven except the Son of Man who came down. As Moses lifted the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted, so all who believe may have eternal life.”

This is how God loved the world: He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save it.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visits Jesus at night, acknowledging His divine authority. Jesus explains that to see God’s kingdom, one must be born of water and Spirit—a spiritual rebirth. Nicodemus struggles to understand, and Jesus emphasizes faith in heavenly truths. He foretells His crucifixion, comparing it to Moses lifting the serpent, so that all who believe in Him may have eternal life. Jesus declares God’s love: He sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save it.