Hello, my wonderful young friends! Today I want to share with you the fascinating story of Jesus Teaches Nicodemus, a nighttime conversation that changed a religious leader's understanding of God's kingdom. This important encounter is found in John 3:1-21 and contains one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible.

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Jesus often had conversations with different kinds of people – fishermen, tax collectors, children, and religious leaders too. This particular meeting happened at night when a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus with important questions about God. Through their conversation, Jesus shared profound truths about being "born again" and God's amazing love for the world. Let's discover together what Jesus taught Nicodemus and why this nighttime meeting is so important for us today!

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Chapter 1: A Visitor in the Night

The streets of Jerusalem were quiet as a distinguished man made his way through the darkness. This was Nicodemus, an important Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council called the Sanhedrin. By day, he was surrounded by other religious leaders who were growing suspicious of Jesus. But something about Jesus stirred Nicodemus's heart, and he had questions that needed answers.

The Bible tells us, "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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'" (John 3:1-2).

Why did Nicodemus come at night? Perhaps he feared what his colleagues might think. Or maybe, after busy days of teaching and healing, nighttime was when Jesus was available for private conversations. Whatever his reason, Nicodemus showed courage and genuine curiosity by seeking Jesus personally, acknowledging that Jesus's miracles proved He was from God.

Little did Nicodemus know that this nighttime meeting would introduce him to truths that would shine light into the darkest corners of his understanding.

Chapter 2: Born Again?

Jesus didn't begin with small talk. He went straight to the heart of what Nicodemus needed to understand: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again'" (John 3:3).

These words puzzled Nicodemus deeply. Born again? What could that possibly mean? He was thinking in literal, physical terms. "'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!'" (John 3:4).

Nicodemus was a highly educated man who knew the Scriptures well. Yet Jesus's words about being "born again" completely confused him. He couldn't grasp this new concept – that entering God's kingdom required a spiritual rebirth, not just following religious rules and traditions.

Like many religious people, Nicodemus thought his good works and knowledge would be enough. But Jesus was introducing something completely different – a transformation so complete it was like being born a second time. This wasn't about trying harder to be good; it was about becoming a new creation.

Chapter 3: Water and Spirit

Jesus patiently explained what being "born again" really means: "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3:5-6).

Jesus was describing something supernatural – a birth that comes not through physical means but through God's Spirit. We can almost see the wheels turning in Nicodemus's mind as he tried to understand this new teaching.

Jesus continued, "You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 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" (John 3:7-8).

With this beautiful picture of the wind, Jesus was helping Nicodemus understand that the Spirit's work is powerful and real, even though we can't see it with our eyes. Just as we can feel the wind but not see it, spiritual birth is invisible yet transformative and undeniable. The change happens inside a person's heart, where only God can see.

Chapter 4: Heavenly Things

Nicodemus was still struggling to grasp these concepts. "'How can this be?' Nicodemus asked" (John 3:9). As a respected teacher himself, it was humbling to admit he didn't understand.

Jesus replied with gentle challenge: "'You are Israel's teacher,' said Jesus, 'and do you not understand these things?… I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?'" (John 3:10, 12).

Jesus was pointing out that as "Israel's teacher," Nicodemus should have recognized these spiritual truths from the Hebrew Scriptures. The prophets had spoken of God giving people new hearts and putting His Spirit within them (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Then Jesus began speaking of "heavenly things" – deeper truths about His identity and mission. "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man" (John 3:13). Jesus was revealing something astonishing: He had come from heaven to earth! This wasn't just another rabbi speaking; this was someone with firsthand knowledge of heaven itself.

For Nicodemus, these words must have been both confusing and thrilling. Jesus was claiming divine origin in a way no other teacher had done.

Chapter 5: The Serpent and the Son

To help Nicodemus understand God's plan of salvation, Jesus referred to a story from Israel's history that Nicodemus would certainly know: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him" (John 3:14-15).

This reference to the bronze serpent (from Numbers 21:4-9) was significant. When the Israelites were dying from snake bites in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who looked at it in faith was healed and lived.

Jesus was revealing that He would be "lifted up" on a cross, and anyone who looks to Him in faith will receive eternal life! This was a powerful foreshadowing of His coming crucifixion and its purpose – to bring salvation to all who believe.

Nicodemus likely wondered about this strange comparison between Jesus and a bronze serpent. But Jesus was giving him a glimpse of how salvation would come – not through religious works but through faith in the One God would provide. Salvation would require looking to a lifted-up Savior.

Chapter 6: God's Amazing Love

Jesus then spoke what would become one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible: "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" (John 3:16).

In these powerful words, Jesus revealed the heart of God's plan – it was motivated by love. God loved not just the Jewish people, but the whole world. And this love wasn't passive; it was active and sacrificial. God "gave" His Son.

Jesus continued, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17). This must have been surprising to Nicodemus, who likely expected the Messiah to come in judgment against sinners and Gentiles. Instead, Jesus revealed that His primary mission was salvation, not condemnation.

The requirement for this salvation was simple yet profound: belief in the Son. Not perfect religious performance or extensive knowledge, but trust in Jesus. Everyone who believes – regardless of their background or status – can receive eternal life instead of perishment. This was a radically inclusive message of hope.

Chapter 7: Light and Darkness

Jesus concluded His teaching with an important truth about why some people reject God's light: "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed" (John 3:19-20).

The contrast between light and darkness was particularly meaningful since Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Jesus was the light that had come into the world, but many people, especially some of Nicodemus's fellow religious leaders, were rejecting that light.

Jesus added, "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" (John 3:21). By coming to Jesus with honest questions, Nicodemus was showing his willingness to step into the light, even if gradually.

The Bible doesn't tell us Nicodemus's immediate response to Jesus's teaching. Did he leave confused? Convinced? Somewhere in between? But we do know that this nighttime conversation planted seeds that would later blossom in Nicodemus's life.

Chapter 8: Nicodemus's Journey Continues

Though our story about Jesus's nighttime teaching ends here, Nicodemus's journey with Jesus wasn't over. The Bible mentions him twice more, showing his growing courage and commitment.

Later, when other Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus, Nicodemus spoke up for fairness: "'Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?' Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own, asked" (John 7:50-51). He was beginning to stand up for Jesus, even if cautiously.

Most significantly, after Jesus's crucifixion, Nicodemus joined Joseph of Arimathea to care for Jesus's body: "He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds" (John 19:39). This was a public declaration of his relationship with Jesus, bringing an expensive gift and risking his reputation.

The man who first came in darkness eventually stepped fully into the light. Nicodemus's journey reminds us that spiritual understanding and courage often grow gradually. His story gives hope that seekers who genuinely want truth will eventually find it in Jesus.

What Can We Learn from This Story?

1. Spiritual rebirth is essential - Jesus teaches us that entering God's kingdom requires more than religious knowledge or good works; it requires a spiritual transformation that only God can bring about.
2. God's love motivates His plan of salvation - God sent Jesus not out of anger but out of love for the whole world, wanting to save people rather than condemn them.
3. Faith in Jesus brings eternal life - Just as the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent to be healed, we look to Jesus in faith to receive spiritual life.
4. Some people prefer darkness to light - We all must choose whether to come to the light of Jesus or remain in darkness, and our choice often reveals the condition of our hearts.
5. Spiritual growth happens gradually - Like Nicodemus, our understanding and courage to follow Jesus may develop over time rather than in a single moment.

Fun Activities for Kids

1. Born Again Butterfly Craft
   Create a caterpillar-to-butterfly craft using paper, pipe cleaners, and decorative materials. Discuss how a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly is like being "born again" – on the outside it looks like the same creature, but it's completely transformed into something new and beautiful. As missionbibleclass.org suggests, this helps children understand the concept of spiritual transformation.
2. Light and Dark Experiment
   Conduct simple experiments with light and darkness, such as using flashlights in a darkened room to find hidden objects. Talk about how Jesus is like a light that helps us find our way and see things clearly. Discuss why Nicodemus came at night and what it means to "come into the light."
3. Bronze Serpent Drama
   Act out the story of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9), then discuss how this connects to Jesus being "lifted up" on the cross. Help children understand that both stories involve looking in faith to God's provided solution.
4. John 3:16 Heart Craft
   Create heart-shaped decorations with John 3:16 written inside. Use colorful materials and perhaps a world map or globe image to illustrate God's love for the whole world. Let children take these home to help them remember this important verse.
5. Nicodemus's Journey Map
   Create a simple "journey map" showing the three times Nicodemus appears in the Bible: his nighttime meeting with Jesus, defending Jesus to other Pharisees, and helping with Jesus's burial. Use different colors or symbols to show his growing courage and commitment to Jesus over time.

If you enjoyed learning about "Jesus Teaches Nicodemus," I think you'll also love the story of "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" from John 4:1-42! It's another fascinating conversation where Jesus reveals important truths about "living water" and true worship to someone who wasn't expecting such a life-changing encounter. Check it out next time for another wonderful Bible adventure!