John 3: 1 - 21 " The License To Heaven".

In order for us to drive a vehicle legally we must have a driver's license. And to get a driver's license is not an easy thing. You have to always undergo the protocol such physical examination that includes a series of test like drug test. And if you'll pass the physical examination. Next is you will undergo through a driving test. And if you'll pass, then that's the time you can get your license to drive. But how about to get to heaven? Do we need a license?

Let's read through the conversation of a noble Pharisee and Jesus as He explained to him how to get to heaven.

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

About Nicodemus:

• A Pharisee- Known to be law observer, teacher and expert. This man is no ordinary Pharisee for he was member of ruling council. Perhaps the group that rule or govern over the Jewish community.
• he called Jesus Rabii/teacher. We really don't know why he came to Jesus at night. Probably he doesn't want to be seen by people as he was a Pharisee that came and had a meeting with Jesus. Although we can't find anything in the New Testament a Pharisee had one on one conversation with Jesus, except this guy Nicodemus.
• Himself, as a law teacher. He also acknowledged Jesus was no ordinary teacher. But notice, he said "we know". Meaning not only him but perhaps there are some or other pharisees who had the same thought. Or maybe he was referring to the people in general that had been seen Jesus performed miracles. If we go back verse 23 of Chapter 2 where it says " Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 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[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] 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.”[d]

• Notice Jesus didn't response him by saying " Thank you for calling me teacher or I appreciate by noticing the miracles and signs I've performed". He didn't say that to Nicodemus. Instead right on the spot, Jesus without hesitant directly taught Him how to get to heaven because that's the most important thing that Nicodemus should know. Because He knew that this guy despite of being a law expert is not guarantee to get to heaven.He was telling to Nicodemus, "hey  for a man to get to heaven he must be a born again and not by practicing the law. "
• born of water was interpreted in v6a "flesh gives birth to flesh" which means a regular physical birth of a person. When we were born from our mother's womb. That's what born of water is about.
• born again in spirit simply means a spiritual re-generation. As we were dead spiritually due to transgressions  (Ephesians 2:1  ). We have to be alive in spirit and only through genuine faith in Christ, (2:5) having a personal relationship with Him we can have a true repentance from our all our sins. As preceding verse 16 " ... whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That simply personal faith in Jesus we can have our spirit alive again. That's what born again all about. We were dead but now born alive in Christ.

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? 

• Nicodemus simply didn't understand what Jesus told him because this was not taught in the law. They were law experts yet they don't know that a man must be born again meaning must have faith in Jesus. As Jesus was simply saying that what He was saying with facts and basis. No heresy. 
• A person that is dead in sin could not easily understand the things of God. As Paul says 1 Cor 2:14 {The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.} Same thing with Nicodemus, the law that he learned and taught as a Pharisee does led him to death. 

13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g]

• Jesus was referring to His death (as Moses lifted up the snake.. so the Son of Man must be lifted up). And His resurrection (He has gone into heaven except Himself who came from heaven).
• It's interesting Jesus compared his death like Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness. If we go back the story in Numbers, when Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (Numbers 21:9). So when we put our trust on Jesus we will have an eternal life which means we will be anymore thrown to death.

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.

• v16- When Jesus said to Nicodemus that a man must be born again to get heaven. He continued saying that it can be only possible by believing in Him. It was impossible to have a repentance heart if we don't trust Jesus as our Savior and Lord. That's what Jesus was telling to Nicodemus, even he was a law expert without Jesus he was nothing. And his expertness with the law can't lead him to heaven.  And that he must surrender his life to Christ and in order to be alive in spirit. 
• Jesus invitation for salvation is for everyone both for Jews and Gentiles. He said in v16a "whoever believes in him" that obviously open for everyone. For a reason in v17a "He came to save not to condemn". That was when Jesus first came but when He comes back soon. It will be judgement for those who didn't believe in Him.
• v18- God is sovereign to change the heart of those who didn't believe in Him. He only knew the heart of every people. If indeed they had already denied Jesus, therefore they remain and stands already condemned.  

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

• v19- Jesus ends with a verdict. This was the outcome of Chapter 1:4-9 when it says Jesus came as the light of all mankind. v19 But people loved darkness instead. 
• After the death of Jesus, Nicodemus was mentioned in John 19:38-42 he accompanied Joseph (Jesus secret disciple) they took the body of Jesus. He even brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. This suggest that he became a believer of Jesus as well. 
• v20-  who does evil hates light. In other words you cannot be in between. There is no such as half evil, half good. In Revelation 3:16 it says  "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Sounds scary, isn't it? But if we are in Jesus we are secure and not scared of losing salvation.
• v21  It's all about a genuine faith in Jesus and the results will be our good works to be seen in light.

So what's your licence to get to heaven? Jesus is my license. As He promised those who believe in Him will not perish but have an eternal life. I am always secure in His hands. 

Text Reading: John 3: 1 - 21 

For prayer requests or comments. Feel free to say anything below. May God continue to enlighten us with His Holy Spirit.