We all know some very religious people. We see them at church on Sundays. Perhaps one of our neighbors, or maybe a co-worker is very religious. They talk about God frequently, and they perform various religious rituals. Maybe they have a statue of Jesus or one of the saints in their yard, or they have a Bible at their desk or work station at work. As is sometimes the case, there are a number of religious people who are unfortunately as lost as any heathen. As we look into our Scripture from the Gospel of John, we will meet someone who was religious but lost.
As the third chapter of the Gospel of John begins, we are introduced to a man named Nicodemus. This gentleman was a prominent Pharisee. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish ruling council, somewhat like a “supreme court”. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus was a devoutly religious Jew, and would have been very careful about keeping the Old Testament Law. He had heard about Jesus and His message, and wanted to speak with Him and learn more. However, since the majority of the Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin were opposed to Jesus, he did not want to be publicly seen, so he came to speak to Him at night (vs. 2).
As this important Pharisee sat down with Jesus, the Lord lost no time in getting to the most important spiritual message that He had. Jesus did not waste any time with philosophical or deep theological discussions, even though Nicodemus was undoubtedly a very intelligent man. He came right to the point, right to the most important matter, and told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again, to be saved (vs. 3).
Most people might think that a gentleman like Nicodemus would have a sure ticket right into heaven. He was a devout Jew, who was very careful to keep all of God’s Law. He was also part of the Sanhedrin, and was respected by the Jewish leaders. Yet here Jesus was saying that Nicodemus needed to be born again to enter God’s Kingdom, and that at this moment he wasn’t. He wasn’t yet assured of a spot in heaven. God’s kingdom, salvation, would come to the whole world, not just to one group, but no one can be a part of it unless they are personally born again. The kingdom is personal, not national, and requires repentance and spiritual rebirth.
Fortunately Nicodemus did not take offense at Jesus’ comments and walk away, like many religious people do when they are told that just being “religious”, going to church or practicing certain rituals won’t get them into heaven, and that they need to be born again, or saved. Nicodemus wanted to know more about what Jesus was talking about. Being born again is an instantaneous spiritual experience when the Holy Spirit leads a person to understand that Jesus Christ died on the cross to provide forgiveness for our sins, that He is the only One who can redeem us, and confess Him as Savior and Lord. The new birth is not something gained by religious rituals or good works, but by an act of faith. When we are born again we become children of God (John 1:12), and rightful heirs to every good thing that He has to offer.
Every man, woman, and child on earth are sinners, and as such, are separated from God. This includes the religious as well as the worst of lawbreakers. There is no possible way for man to redeem themselves from their sins. However, God has such a great love for the evil, sinful world of humanity that is in rebellion against Him, that He gave His one and only beloved Son to die on behalf of sinful men (vs. 16). In this verse, when the Bible speaks about “believing” it is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him, that He alone can save us. It is to acknowledge and accept for oneself that He died for our sins. Jesus Christ is the only salvation for the world. There is no other.
Salvation, the chance to be born again or saved, is offered to everyone. As we read in verses 15 and 16, it says that “whoever believes” will not perish, but have everlasting life. This destroys the false, heretical, and damning belief that some are predestined to be saved while others are predestined to be lost. Jesus said whoever, meaning anyone can come, none are excluded! They just must make the choice to come to God through Jesus.
Nicodemus was very religious, but none-the-less he was lost, just as many today are. Fortunately he believed what Jesus told him that night as they talked, and accepted Jesus as the Messiah. He took the step to be saved, to be born again. We read where he defended Jesus against the chief priests and other Pharisees who wanted to destroy Him (John 7:50-52), and later he risked his life and reputation by helping give Jesus a proper burial (John 19:38-42). What about you? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and are born again? Or are you religious, but lost?
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