Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Comment: Was Nicodemus saying ‘I’m beginning to see, please explain more.’ It seems pretty obvious to me that we are are only getting a precis of a longer and deeper talk. Jesus made several preparatory statements before going on (tomorrow’s devotion) to fill in the really needed information.
- Why don’t you understand and teach that which as a leader you are supposed to know?
- You’ve heard what I was saying but you’re still doubting my words.
- I have come down from heaven and am claiming to be ‘the Son of Man’ who is mentioned in your Holy Writings.
- Think about the story in Numbers ch 21 of what Moses did to stop the death threat from the venemous snakes, and Jesus says ‘I’ll continue as to what is going to happen to Me’. (see tomorrow)
Prayer: Help me to tie together passages from the Bible, Lord
As I read it! 