I love the imagery Jesus uses throughout this passage and how he somewhat speaks in riddles. This brings up several thoughts for me. Does Jesus speak in riddles so that whoever is interpreting it will be able to apply it directly to their life and their current situation? If he stated things more directly, would people think, “oh that doesn’t apply to me.” Is this one of the things that makes The Bible a living word? We may interpret it one way in one season of our life and another way during a different season. And lastly, why does everyone use John 3:16 for sports posters?? I feel like this verse has nothing to do with sports/talent/etc?! Okay, lots of random thoughts... hope they make some sense!
Also that’s an interesting thought about the way Jesus seems to speak in riddles as a way to allow a wider range of interpretations. I like the question - it creates a space for contemplation.
John 3:16 and sports? I don’t think I’ve seen that, but my guess is that John 3:16 has the overtone of sacrifice. So for athletes sacrifice is what they do to win. There’s kind of a hero sacrifice connection. 🤷🏻♀️
Oh ok, so nothing to do with the sports at all... just sharing an important bible verse knowing that so many ppl are watching? That also makes perfect sense
Nicodemus came in the night (probably because he was timid in his faith)
“Unless one is born of water and the spirit” (does that mean natural birth and spiritual birth or baptism and spiritual rebirth)
Went back and read Numbers 21:9 where Moses lifts up the serpent and that wasn’t totally helpful except that everyone who looked to the serpent lived... confusing old testament story though?!
As a whole this scripture speaks of a man apprehensively approaching Jesus and Jesus responds with a message of what it takes to be a believer and what you will receive when you give your life to God.
It speaks of Christs character that He meets us where we are and gives us all the same opportunity to choose Him.
It speaks of my human response in how I should live in the light and an example of sharing my faith.
Agree the serpent story is strange. What comes to mind about the snake story is the connection with it being lifted up and what appears to be foreshadowing his own death on the cross. Nicodemus must have been so puzzled after this interaction until Easter happened. We have the benefit of knowing more of the story.
If nicodemus is confused then I don’t feel so bad about when I’m confused 🫤
This is one of the most beautiful expressions of Gods sacrificial love. God sacrificed Jesus to save the world! God loves us and wants us to be saved and He won’t hold back anything to reach us. That is beautiful and overwhelming.
What does it say about humans?
We are in need of rescue. We often don’t understand, we are clouded by our own desires that can be not good and even when we think we know what is right we can be off base. People will cling to destructive habits more easily than good ones.
What’s my responsibility? Be eternally grateful for God’s saving grace and Jesus’ sacrifice for me and the world.
The born again part is confusing and not clear to me. It’s almost like Jesus is saying it can’t be explained. Spiritual birth comes from the Holy Spirit. How and when that happens may not be for me to know or grasp. 🤷🏻♀️
Reading this I felt like Nicodemus was unsure of what he knew to be true. He starts with ok we know you came from God but..... Nicodemus seems to be on the line between darkness and light. He wants to believe Jesus is who he says he is, but the how is getting him.
Nicodemus “comes to Jesus by night.” Why? Is he not ready to fully embrace and accept who Jesus says he is? Contrast that beginning with the last line “But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” I read that as Jesus almost persuading Nicodemus to step out of his darkness and doubt, fully believe and show others what is done in God.
What am I keeping from the light? Not that they are evil deeds to hide in the darkness but what am I not shining light on, giving credit to God, acknowledging all he has blessed me with?
I love the imagery Jesus uses throughout this passage and how he somewhat speaks in riddles. This brings up several thoughts for me. Does Jesus speak in riddles so that whoever is interpreting it will be able to apply it directly to their life and their current situation? If he stated things more directly, would people think, “oh that doesn’t apply to me.” Is this one of the things that makes The Bible a living word? We may interpret it one way in one season of our life and another way during a different season. And lastly, why does everyone use John 3:16 for sports posters?? I feel like this verse has nothing to do with sports/talent/etc?! Okay, lots of random thoughts... hope they make some sense!
John 3:16 is to sports what 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings 😂 ... they just pair well.
Also that’s an interesting thought about the way Jesus seems to speak in riddles as a way to allow a wider range of interpretations. I like the question - it creates a space for contemplation.
John 3:16 and sports? I don’t think I’ve seen that, but my guess is that John 3:16 has the overtone of sacrifice. So for athletes sacrifice is what they do to win. There’s kind of a hero sacrifice connection. 🤷🏻♀️
Ahhhh that makes sense!
Are you talking about people who hold up signs at games? That just seems like people taking advantage of a big audience to try to evangelize
Oh ok, so nothing to do with the sports at all... just sharing an important bible verse knowing that so many ppl are watching? That also makes perfect sense
My thoughts-
Nicodemus came in the night (probably because he was timid in his faith)
“Unless one is born of water and the spirit” (does that mean natural birth and spiritual birth or baptism and spiritual rebirth)
Went back and read Numbers 21:9 where Moses lifts up the serpent and that wasn’t totally helpful except that everyone who looked to the serpent lived... confusing old testament story though?!
As a whole this scripture speaks of a man apprehensively approaching Jesus and Jesus responds with a message of what it takes to be a believer and what you will receive when you give your life to God.
It speaks of Christs character that He meets us where we are and gives us all the same opportunity to choose Him.
It speaks of my human response in how I should live in the light and an example of sharing my faith.
Agree the serpent story is strange. What comes to mind about the snake story is the connection with it being lifted up and what appears to be foreshadowing his own death on the cross. Nicodemus must have been so puzzled after this interaction until Easter happened. We have the benefit of knowing more of the story.
If nicodemus is confused then I don’t feel so bad about when I’m confused 🫤
Ok so what does it tell me about God?
This is one of the most beautiful expressions of Gods sacrificial love. God sacrificed Jesus to save the world! God loves us and wants us to be saved and He won’t hold back anything to reach us. That is beautiful and overwhelming.
What does it say about humans?
We are in need of rescue. We often don’t understand, we are clouded by our own desires that can be not good and even when we think we know what is right we can be off base. People will cling to destructive habits more easily than good ones.
What’s my responsibility? Be eternally grateful for God’s saving grace and Jesus’ sacrifice for me and the world.
The born again part is confusing and not clear to me. It’s almost like Jesus is saying it can’t be explained. Spiritual birth comes from the Holy Spirit. How and when that happens may not be for me to know or grasp. 🤷🏻♀️
Reading this I felt like Nicodemus was unsure of what he knew to be true. He starts with ok we know you came from God but..... Nicodemus seems to be on the line between darkness and light. He wants to believe Jesus is who he says he is, but the how is getting him.
Nicodemus “comes to Jesus by night.” Why? Is he not ready to fully embrace and accept who Jesus says he is? Contrast that beginning with the last line “But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” I read that as Jesus almost persuading Nicodemus to step out of his darkness and doubt, fully believe and show others what is done in God.
What am I keeping from the light? Not that they are evil deeds to hide in the darkness but what am I not shining light on, giving credit to God, acknowledging all he has blessed me with?