We are looking at Nicodemus and the Lord Jesus' talk with him concerning the need of re-birthing or re-genesis or our being born from above. The real subject is that of mans spirit and soul putting our perspective into the correct track to hear the voice of GOD and our own union with Him as in the beginning. I have touched on this fine point a time or two within this blog in the pass but in these days where darkness seems to be predominately in control of humanities thinking, I feel that all things Spiritual need more knowledge of GOD's understanding, this is also called light. So using the Mirror Study Bible as our only resource here we go with John 3: 9 which will lead us to John the baptist witness in verses 22-36, we will pick back up in 10 at verse 40-42.
John 3:9-15 "To which Nicodemus responded, "How is this possible? What kind of birth can this be?" Jesus answer, 'You are the teacher of Israel yet you do not know these things? Nicodemus, hear me, [amen, amen] our conversation stems from what we, humanity, have always borne witness to; we endorse what we have observed; how is it that your religious perspectives keep you so blinded to this? (Look at Paul's reference in Romans 1:3 "The Son of GOD has his natural lineage from the seed of David; 1:4 however, his powerful resurrection from the dead by the Holy Spirit, locates and confirms his being and sonship in GOD. Then he says in verse 18 that we can suppress the truth through our own stubborn unbelief, yet 1:19 GOD is not a stranger to anyone; whatever can be known of GOD is evident in every human life. 1:20 GOD is on display in creation; the very fabic of visible cosmos appeals to reason. It clearly bears witness to the ever present sustaining power and intelligence of the invisible GOD, leaving humanity without any valid excuse to ignore him. Look at Galatians 1:15 GOD's eternal love dream separeted me from my mother's womb; his grace became my identity. 1:16 This is the heart of the gospel that I proclaim; it began with an unveiling of sonship in me; freeing me to announce the same sonship in the masses of non-Jewish people. I felt no immediate urgency to compare notes with those who were already familiar with Christ from a mere historic point of view.") If I speak incarnate language to you [Plural - you Jewish Law-based-religious leaders] and you are not persuaded about our common origin, how will you be persuaded about heavenly things? (Here we are person to person - face to face - the prophetic word incarnate!) No one can fully engage in heaven's perspective, unless one's heavenly origin is realized (restored)! The Son of man declares humanity's co-genesis from above! (This is my mission: This the prophetic relevance - this is how the veil will be lifted and removed!) Remember how Moses lifted up the [1]serpent in the wilderness even so the son of man will be lifted up! (John 12:31 'Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; 12:32 and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all judgment unto myself.' John 12:33 He said this to show by what death he was to die." Revelation 12:9. John 3:13 and 14 are most significant since they point to the very essence of the Mission of Jesus - the co=begotteness of the human race now redeemed in our co-crucifixion and co-resurrection on the third day into newness of life! 1Peter 1:3 The word serpent in the Greek is [1]ophis, the old Serpent at the end of Revelation 12.) In the same prophetic pattern, I will be lifted up for all to see and be equally persuaded in the echo of the life of the ages now redeemed within them!'"
John 3:16-21 (Jesus is speaking) "'The entire [5]cosmos is the object of GOD's affection! and he is not about to [1]abandon his creation - the [2]gift of his son is for humanity to realize their true origin in him who mirrors their [3]authentic [first] birth - begotten not of flesh but of the Father! [look at John 1:13 and Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7] In this [4]persuasion the life of the ages [4]echos within the individual and announces that the days of regret and sense of [1]lost-ness are over! (The KJV reads, "Whoever [4]believes in him shall not [1]perish but have eternal life." The same word translated in the KJV to perish is translated in Luke 15 "to be lost." In order to underline the value of the individual, Jesus tells the famous three parables in Luke 15 of the lost sheep, coin and son; now all found, safe and sound! In everyone he repeats the word [1]lost, apollumi, to lose, to emphasize the fact that you cannot be lost unless you belong - to begin with! The word [1]apollumi, also suggests a sense of uselessness; that which comes to ruin and amounts to nothing! The word [2] didomi, to give, in this case to give something to someone that already belongs to them; thus, to return. The fact that they already are his own, born from above, they have their beginning and their being in him is now confirmed in their realization! He is the "only begotten," [3] monogenes; begotten only by the Father and not of the flesh; in him we recognize our true beginning - as in the authentic origin mold. John 1:12 The word [4]echo, to hold, or embrace, as in echo. The word, [5] kosmos in the NT refers to the entire human family.) GOD has no intention to condemn anyone - he sent his Son, not to be the Judge but the Savior of the World. Faith and not flesh defines you! In the persuasion of your authentic sonship there is no [1] separation or rejection! for someone to prefer not to embrace this is to remain under their own judgment sustained by their futile efforts to define themselves through personal performance. In their stubborn unbelief they [1]reject what is revealed and redeemed in the Name of the Son, begotten only of the father and not the flesh. (The word [1] krino, means to separate; to reject; to judge; to condemn. In naming his Son Jesus, the father openly announced his resolve, which has always been to rescue and redeem his image and likeness in incarnate sonship. As Paul says in Ephesians 3:15 "Every family in heaven and on earth originates in him; his is humanity's family name and he remains the authentic identity of every nation." Also in Titus 2:11 "The grace of GOD shines as bright as day making the salvation of humanity undeniable visible." Galatians 1:16 "This is the heart of the gospel that I proclaim; it began with an unveiling of sonship in me, freeing me to announce the same sonship in the masses of non-Jewish people. I felt no immediate urgency to compare notes with those who were familiar with Christ from a mere historic and human point of view. Look at Hebrews 1:1-3) And this is the [1]crisis: the light is here right now, yet people are so addicted to their own darkness that they prefer a life of [2]labors, annoyances and hardships! (The word [1] krisis, is often translated judgment. The word for evil, [2] poneros, translated, full of hardships annoyances and labors.) When someone is engaged in something [1] worthless, they often fear exposure and feel threatened by the light! (The word, [1] phaulos means worthless; also used in James 3:16, all kinds of worthless pursuits.) (For I have good news for you Nicodemus! You won't ever need to hide in darkness again!) He who discovers the [1]poetry of truth, faces the light unashamedly - his life boldly displays the workmanship of union with GOD! His works speak for themselves - "Made in heaven - wrought in GOD!'" (Like Nicodemus there are many following at a "comfortable" distance, hidden in disguise - they too are invited to turn and face the redeeming light of the Love of GOD!)
In our next installment post we will, the LORD will, look at a bit more of this conversation, where John the baptist comes in.
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