We might escape the wrath of God (v. 36). This is the only place in any of John’s epistles or his gospel that he uses the word wrath. (He uses it six times in the book of Revelation.) This verse parallels John 3:18 and makes it clear that there can be no neutrality when it comes to the witness of Jesus Christ: Either we trust Him or we reject Him.
“Everlasting life” does not simply mean eternity in heaven. The believer possesses that life right now! It is the life of God in the believer. The opposite of eternal life is eternal death, the wrath of God. A person does not have to die and go to hell to be under the wrath of God. “He that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18). The verdict has already been given, but the sentence has not yet been executed. Why? Because God is patient and long suffering and continues to call sinners to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
As you review John 3, you can see that the apostle John is emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is a living relationship that begins with the new birth, the birth from above. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we share His very life and become children in the family of God.
It is also a loving relationship, for He is the Bridegroom, and we are a part of the bride. Like John the Baptist, we desire that Jesus Christ increase as we decrease. He must receive all the honor and glory.
It is a learning relationship, for He is the faithful Witness who shares God’s truth with us. What a delight it is to receive His Word, meditate on it, and make it part of our very lives.
But we must never forget the cost of these blessings. For us to be born into God’s family, Jesus Christ had to die. For us to enter into the loving relationship of salvation, He had to endure the hatred and condemnation of humankind. He had to be lifted up on the cross so that we might experience forgiveness and eternal life.
May we never take this for granted!
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- In what does the world try to find salvation today?
- Read verses 1-21. What is your impression of Nicodemus?
- Why did Jesus treat Nicodemus like a religious illiterate?
- What does Jesus’ self-confidence with another great rabbi suggest about His understanding of who He was?
- Jesus used four illustrations to explain salvation to Nicodemus: birth, wind, the serpent on a pole, light, and darkness. What does each illustration contribute to your understanding of salvation?
- Which of these illustrations is most helpful to you? Why?
- Which illustration, if any of them, is hard for you to grasp? Why?
- Read Numbers 21:4-9. Why did Jesus choose this illustration to teach Nicodemus more about salvation?
- Read verses 22-30. Does it surprise you that John the Baptist wasn’t concerned about his status as a religious leader? Why or why not?
- How can we let Jesus increase while we decrease as John the Baptist did?
- Read verses 31-36. Why should we heed Jesus’ witness to the truth?
- In this chapter, John emphasized that a personal relationship with Jesus is a living, loving, and learning one. How fully are you experiencing this relationship? What could help you?