Once Jesus begins His public ministry He hits the ground running.  John 3 shows us one of His first interactions with a Pharisee who is curious about Jesus.  He is cautious and sneaks away at night to interact with Jesus but immediately acknowledges that Jesus comes from God.  Let’s look at their interaction in John 3 for the whole interaction read verses 1-21.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The Pharisees and religious leaders were worried that Jesus came to make a new way and to change the existing order.  The reality is that Jesus came to make a way period.  Even the greatest of the Pharisees could not stand upon his own righteousness.  God sent Jesus to save the world.  When we put our faith in Him life works.  It won’t always be easy, in fact we are promised trouble in this world but we are also promised Jesus.  Jesus promises to be with us always and promises that we will get to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.  This is one of the greatest promises in all of the Bible.  While the Pharisees struggled to accept and embrace this promise so many have over the years.  Share this promise with the world so that others can embrace this amazing gift as well.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave