01-11-2026 The Night Shift
Text: John 3:1-16
This morning we’re going to look at a religious man who lived in the time of Jesus and who had a pressing need to find out why he felt lost. That man is Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Israel who were often criticized by Jesus and John the Baptist for being hypocrites.
Our text comes from John 3:1-15 where we read: “ (1) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. , (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a Teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with Him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him Verily, verily, [this phrase means ‘very truly’] I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus said unto Him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again. (8) The wind blows where it listeth, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell from where it comes, and wither it goes; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (9) Nicodemus answered and said uno Him, how can these things be? (10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto you, we speak that we do know and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you of Heavenly things? (13) And no man has ascended up to Heaven; but He who came down from Heaven, even the Son of Man which is in Heaven. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up [a clean reference to the Cross which is the only way to defeat Satan and sin] (15) That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
As someone who held a high position of power in Israel, Nicodemus could have sent one of his assistants to get answers to the questions he had but instead, he came to Jesus himself because of the outcry surrounding the miracles that Jesus had been performing. But he also did it in the dark of night so as not to call attention to the visit because he was afraid of negative opinions from the public if they learned about this visit.
Our reading show us that Nicodemus was a seeker of the truth and that night he learned two important lessons: there is only one way of salvation, and eternal life comes through a new birth. He understood that he would have to shift his opinion about how someone could be saved.
We see in vv. 3-4 that Salvation can’t be inherited. Nicodemus is trying to come to terms with the thought of a new birth when he asks if someone could return to the womb and be born again. Many people think that eternal life comes through family ties. If they’re born into respected religious families or have been taught the basics of the Bible they will automatically have eternal life. But Jesus begins to unravel the mystery when he says, ‘that which is born of the flesh is flesh’ and ‘that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’
Jesus goes on to explain in vv. 5-15 how this happens. ‘Born of water and the Spirit’ refers to the contrast between physical birth, which is water, and spiritual birth which is the Spirit. This idea of a new birth through the Spirit goes above and beyond the religious opinions of Nicodemus’ day and even in our present time many people think that you don’t need to be ‘born again’ to be saved and have eternal life. Religion has nothing to do with salvation. As a religious man, even Nicodemus was lost unless he could shift his confidence from works to God’s grace. The same goes for people today.
When Jesus spoke of the wind blowing in v. 8 he was explaining that we can’t control the work of the Holy Spirit and we can’t control the wind. The Spirit works in ways we can’t predict or understand. And, just as we didn’t control our physical birth we can’t control our spiritual birth It’s a gift from God through the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Verse 9 tells us that no one is beyond the touch of God’s Spirit. Do you know people that you think can never be brought to God? Maybe you have tried to share the path to salvation with someone who refused to believe. Don’t ever assume that a certain person will never respond to the Gospel. Through His Holy Spirit, God can reach anyone, and we should pray diligently for those he brings to our life and are in need of salvation. Always be a witness and an example to everyone you are in contact with. God may touch those you consider most unreachable, and He may use you do it.
Nicodemus knew the Old Testament thoroughly, but he didn’t understand what it said about the Messiah. Intellectual knowledge doesn’t guarantee a true understanding of salvation. We need to know the Bible, but even more important we need a relationship with God whom the Bible reveals to us so that we can receive the salvation that He offers. Our salvation has its roots in God’s eternal plan. Eternal life has been God’s plan from the very beginning. Adam and Eve would have lived for ever if they had not given in to the temptation of Satan.
We see in vv. 14-15 how when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God sent a plague of snakes to punish them for their rebellious attitudes. Those doomed to die from snake bites could be healed by obeying God’s command to look up at the elevated bronze snake and believing that God would heal them if they did. This is found in Numbers 21:8-9. Similarly, our salvation happens when we look up to Jesus believing He will save us. God has provided this way for us to be healed of sin’s deadly bite.
The Savior Jesus fulfills all of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, His sacrifice on the Cross, and our pathway to salvation and eternal life. A religious life, religious parents, or good deeds can’t give any individual salvation and eternal life. It must be a personal decision by everyone to trust Jesus and make Him their own. Only then can you receive the gift of eternal life by the grace of God.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.