John 3:9-10 Unbelief_

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? John‬ ‭3:9-10 ‭NIV‬‬

Understanding the basic nature of man and believing in the need for regeneration is the key to the door through which we walk to see the kingdom of heaven. This is Jesus’ first abrupt confrontation of unbelief within Nicodemus. Nicodemus asked twice how the new birth is possible. The first time, Jesus explained. Now Nicodemus asked again? Something deeper is off.

Jesus’ first reply was to gently nudge him. The second was to get his attention and speak to the core issue within. If I were to write the subtext it may have sounded like this: “Nicodemus, the birth takes place through water and spirit. John was the first step. You must come through water, or baptism, death and repentance. You didn’t and you missed it. Then comes the spirit, and although that’s still a short time off I’m giving you the keys. But there is something that is obscuring your ability to understand, and it’s within you. As soon as you saw what you needed to do to be close to God and you didn’t do it, you put a stake in the ground from which you are unable to move beyond. The flesh is the first step, you must move it out of the way, then you may experience the Spirit. From there, you may see, and understand, the marvels of the kingdom and the pleasure of knowing the Father.”

Unbelief is tricky. It masquerades as reason. It says, let’s look at another option, because the cost for the current option is too steep. There must be another option to the way that the Spirit is indicating.

Jesus’ challenged his position. Shouldn’t he know these things as a teacher in Israel? And in reality, he should have. And if Nicodemus was close, but still missing it, what about the other Pharisees and teachers in Israel that are even further from acknowledging the ways of God? The implications here are stunning. But there is grace in the question. And further grace in the verses that follow. Yet, until Nicodemus chooses to believe, his vision will be obscured.

Nicodemus accepted the rebuke and he did believe (at some point). This was a poignant moment. Although the text does not tell us when, he acknowledged the lamb and the route he had to take. You can see this later when he stood up for Jesus in front of the council and even helped Joseph of Arimathea in the burial after he was crucified.

When the Spirit directs us in a direction, it may not be fully disclosed where that path will lead. Yet, intrinsic in that transaction is the need for trust. He will not lead us somewhere I cannot go. He is able to see and know the future, unlike me. Another certainty that was bearing down on this tiny nation and which Jesus saw was that Israel’s time was quickly running out. There would be only temporary and fleeting value of remaining a leader in Israel. Jesus was compelling Nicodemus, “Believe! Trust and follow me, you won’t be disappointed. Will it affect your position and public standing? It may, but the trade will be worth it.”