John 3:25-28 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan – the one you testified about – well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’”
 
THE Baptist’s disciples had two problems. One was the ruling Jews. The second was Jesus.
   Regarding the first, some Jews had come to them to essentially ask about baptism. Their questions may have been something like this: “Why should we be baptized by John? We already have water purification rites in our law. “Baptism is for Gentiles who become Jews, isn’t it?” In addition to the questioning Jews, there were also other groups who practiced their own ceremonial washing. “What,” they would have asked, “is the point of another ritual?”
   Second, John’s disciples saw Jesus’ new ministry as copying and replacing John’s. Why should this new rabbi, especially one John had baptized, baptize also? How many preaching, baptizing rabbis did the Jews need? They were jealous it seems.
   Then the Baptizer responded to teach his disciples and us another valuable discipleship lesson. Very directly and simply, he said, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” John reminded his followers of his calling. John’s ministry occurred because the God of Heaven and earth had appointed him “to “make straight paths for him.” (Mark 1:3) He knew  his role: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11) “I am not the Christ.”
   Change has come to John’s followers, and they must be willing change their devotion to the Messiah. Soon it will be time for John to leave. Until that day, he will continue baptizing to prepare the Jews for Jesus Kingdom while he points the Jews to Jesus.
   This is Kingdom progress, and we can add process. The Bible reveals God’s process to make progress from fallen man to restored man. As we are Jesus’ disciples today, we must be aware that we, as the prophets and apostles, are called to be beginning voices for people to hear of Jesus and his gospel. We are also called to continue the work others have begun. Wherever we find ourselves, we always point to Jesus. 

John 3:22-24 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was in prison.)
 
PROGRESS is a key substance of the Kingdom of God. This portion of John 3 emphasizes more than the other gospels that John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ ministry overlapped for a time. There seems to be a gradual progression form the Old Covenant to the New.
   One way we can understand this progress is found in Psalms 19:6-8 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 
   As the apostle John wrote that Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized, he expressed the Son of God is on the move as the sun of the heavens. Jesus sees all and is perfect in righteousness. His trustworthy word gives light, so all can walk upright and joyfully in the law. As sure as the dawn becomes twilight, the Son of God will move the gospel throughout the earth.   
   Jesus came to Judea as a servant King to teach, preach and witness God’s glory to his creation. The Lord Jesus displayed an example for his growing group of disciples. About three years later they will follow his pathway to advance the Word as they go from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Jesus walked his earth to minister his grace, mercy and love, so his messengers will expand the commands of the Lord, giving light to the eyes. 
   Note, too, that Jesus and John the Baptist are both at work. John will soon depart. Yet, John keeps working because this is his anointing. The Lord’s presence even increases the urgency of the Jews’ baptism of repentance. John is doing all he can to prepare the Jews for their Messiah. He is a good model for our Christian life.
   The King is on the move. His progress plan is becoming evident. 

John 3:13-15 “No one has ever gone into Heaven except the one who came from Heaven – the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
 
IF you would read from John 1:1 to these verses, you would note this is the third time the apostle identified Jesus as both present “in Heaven” and “came from Heaven.” Here is a profound evidence of Jesus’ Lordship and Heaven’s existence. Fully God and fully man, Jesus came from Heaven. And he  has returned to Heaven.
   Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus is to affirm Jesus has the authority to speak of Heaven. This was a continual controversy during Jesus’ three-year ministry. The ruling Jews would ultimately use Jesus’ claims to his divine identity and authority to condemn him to the cross.
   Again, we see why we need to know the entire Bible. Bible knowledge is an essential Kingdom substance. Jesus used Old Testament imagery to help Nicodemus see Jesus’ divine nature. The reference to “Moses lifted up the snake in the desert” refers to Numbers 21:4-9. This records the story of the rebellious Israelites, who complained God wasn’t pleasing them. In response, God sent fiery serpents into their midst to judge them. To stop this sin penalty, God told Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a pole. Whoever looked at it would live. Whoever did not perished in their sin. This illustrated the cross to come. Thus, when Jesus said, “The Son of Man must be lifted up.” he referred to both his crucifixion and his exaltation to save mankind. Look to the cross in faith, and you will be saved. Despise the cross, and you’ll be condemned.
          Jesus also identified himself as the “Son of Man.” This term comes from a vision in Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” The Son of Man submits to the Ancient of Days – the LORD God. Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension were accomplished under God’s sovereign authority. God gave signs and visions of the Christ to come. Jesus’ obedience fulfilled the visions. Here is the Word made flesh unveiling God’s Word. He demonstrated the detailed plan of a sovereign God to save the world from sin. 

John 3:7-12 (Jesus said) “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You 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.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, 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?”
 
DOES Nicodemus’ question, “How can this be?” remind you of two others who asked a similar question? Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” & Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Similar questions, but not the same. Mary said, “How will?” with expectation. The learned priest Zechariah and Pharisee Nicodemus said, “How can?” with doubt. 
   The Virgin understood what the scholars did not. We must always be alert to know the Sovereign God works in his ways to do his will, whether it is through a Virgin birth or the Spirit’s re-birthing power. Jesus wanted Nicodemus to use his knowledge as a teacher of Israel to know God’s creative authority. Israel’s Scriptures – our Old Testament – teaches God is sovereign to create and to change laws of nature to his purpose. Nicodemus should be mindful of God’s promise in Eden to save mankind from sin. God formed Israel to be his people of the promise. He then spoke through numerous prophets in Israel and Judah of a Savior to come. All of this became reality because God’s salvation plan took on form and substance in Judah through Jesus’ incarnation. When Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (John 3:4) he indicated he had missed the point of salvation from Heaven. Mary wondered, “How will God do his will?” Nicodemus questioned, “How can God do his will?”
   The Bible tells us the history (his story) of the earth created by and under the authority of a transcendent God. That means he is different than his creation. He has authority far above our human understanding. To believe in such a God is to have faith that in his way and power, we are born again with life from heaven into a new heavenly existence. Believe in God’s way and be saved.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Teach me to be a disciple of your purpose. My desire is to know your teachings, to live by them and to teach them. For yours is the Kingdom and power and glory forever. Amen.  

John 3:4-6 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
 
AS we looked at born again in our previous lesson, let’s go one step further to understand a more literal translation of born again is “born from above”. Nicodemus. a learned student of God’s law (John 3:10) should have understood born again as God’s restoring work, not as a physical rebirth. Nicodemus’ misunderstanding led Jesus to open the Scriptures to transform Nicodemus’ head knowledge to become his heart’s truth.
   Thus, Jesus began with his powerful, attention-getting words, “I tell you the truth.” In this statement we know he is not a prophet saying, “The Lord says.” He is the Lord, saying, “I say.” Jesus then began to teach of a new life in the Kingdom of God. To be born of water and the Spirit refers to a single spiritual rebirth with two elements of water and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was reminding Nicodemus of the Old Testament images of water and the Spirit in unison bringing new life into the land: Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Jesus is not yet teaching new testament baptism to this Pharisee. He is first reminding Nicodemus of Scripture’s lessons that water and Spirit are related to creation and re-creation in God’s sovereign authority. To be born again is to receive a pouring out from heaven to re-birth your soul into God’s kingdom. This is God’s purposeful plan to establish his eternal Kingdom. Born again, you are an essential element of God’s Kingdom now and to come.
   The conversation continues in our next reading.
 

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
 
THE Pharisee Nicodemus hasn’t asked a question; yet, he has confirmed he and others are truly wondering about Jesus and perhaps beginning to believe, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.” Then Jesus replied to his searching student with this New Testament promise of hope, grace and love, “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Nicodemus was ready to learn. But he certainly didn’t expect Jesus to make such a radical, even confusing claim. Whoever heard of being born again? And why must one be born again to enter the kingdom? Is this a real promise or a real restriction?
   What do you think? Years ago, “born again Christiaan” seemed to be spoken more than now. If one were a Christian, it wasn’t necessary to say, “I’m born again.” Right?
   Or maybe it was and is necessary. Perhaps the phrase was to sort cultural Christians from true, repentant followers of Jesus. But sometimes, too, it seemed, “I’m a born again Christian.” was said with a prideful attitude: “I know I’m a Christian. Prove to me you are, too.” 
   What we must know is that “unless you are born again” is our Lord’s magnificent promise to all of us. Far from being a restrictive rule, it is God’s grand, glorious promise of a new life the Lord has prepared for all believers in the Spirit’s power. As we talk of Kingdom substance or element – what is needed in the Kingdom – the Spirit’s life is certainly the most essential. We must realize we all were born dead in our sin nature to a life relationship with God. And then we humbly, gratefully know “born again” is our Lord’s life-giving hope, grace, forgiveness and love. Yes, rejoice and be a born again Christian.
   What, then, does “born again” look like? The Bible gives us images of this new, regenerative life in the Great Flood and through Abraham, who was called out of pagan worship into God’s “born again” covenant. See also Jacob’s life transformed from deceiver to overcomer. The New Testament shows us the Christ’s profound regeneration in his dead body risen from the grave. He was “born again” physically to be the means for all believers to be birthed forever into glory. Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.
   See born again also in the disciples’ growing faith to become passionate apostles for the gospel. Witness the abrupt regeneration of Saul into Paul and even Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 7. All are indications of becoming new in Jesus Christ’s life.
   Born again is the Holy Spirit’s breath of life resurrecting our sin-dead souls to know and follow Christ in love. As he formed the earth and brought life to Jesus’ mortal body, the Spirit enters our heart’s emptiness to re-form our lives fresh and free, released from sins prison.
   Born again, you live ignited with the Spirit’s fire to be a light into the world. You reject earthly limitations to live in heaven’s expectations.
 

 

Luke 8:4-15 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ (Isaiah 6:9) 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” 
 
JESUS compares the form and substance of the Kingdom of God to a good farm. Good seed, fertile soil and proper management of seed and soil are essential substances for a productive farm. Even more, properly managed good soil is the foundation of wealth for a country. Good soil in the Kingdom of God is the foundation for an abundant life in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we sink our souls’ roots into it, we can trust the Good Soil of God’s Word to anchor us against the testings and thorns. We are sturdy in the Good Soil to remain in God’s love.
   But as there are many farms under poor management, aren’t there? Some farmers and lazy. They do not learn about soil and seed. Their seeds are planted too late for a good growing season. Fertilizer and pest control are misused. The seed and soil go to waste. The farmer and his family – and even his community and nation – will be less due to his poor work.
   Isaiah prophesied such “poor farmers” would miss and lose Kingdom blessings. Jesus used Isaiah’s words to indicate God knows there will be many who will not understand at all, and some will easily lose faith due to weak roots in God’s Word.
   Jesus teaches a good, God-rooted heart is the essential Kingdom substance. From such a heart comes a desire to learn, keep and grow in the Word. God’s truth becomes an enriching, growing crop to influence one’s life to true Kingdom citizenship.
 

Luke 8:1-4 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
 
THIS reading is the first of several that examine Kingdom of God characteristics. One way to understand the Kingdom of God is to know it has four essential traits: 1) place (currently the world) 2) form (the church today) 3) substance (God’s Word) and 4) time (now into eternity). We’ll mainly focus on the substance or elements as we come to understand what God requires of us in the church now.
   The first Kingdom substance is to honor women, so they fulfill their God-given gifts. One great attack from the world is to say that the Bible and Christianity demean, even enslave women. Of course these lies come from the devil’s influence on the world in an attempt to discredit God’s magnificent love and provision for his creation. Jesus spoke of the devil’s lies in this heated exchange with the Jews in John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
   Let’s understand the truth, then, about women in the Kingdom of God. God created woman as equal to man. A woman was to be man’s helper as God is our helper. A helper is one who completes and empowers another. Without helpers, we accomplish very little. Each of us has a helper role in different areas of our lives.
   Know, too, that the Woman is God’s only creation that comes directly from another life. Eve completed God’s creation. God loves women. God honors women. God chooses women into his church. A women bears the children in God’s image. God gifts women to serve in his kingdom. Women are of great value in God’s sight.
   Some examples in the gospels include the way Jesus loved and saved the repentant woman who wept over her sins (Luke 7). And our Scripture here tells us of three specific women and many others who helped Jesus in his day-to-day ministry. Mary Magdalene was freed of demon possession. Joanna is a woman of means. It is thought Jesus had healed her son, and she then traveled with Jesus to support him financially. Some evidence indicates Jesus had also healed Susanna.
   For women to travel with men in this way was the subject of scandal. Furthermore, co-education was not done in this culture. Women were second-class citizens. But not in the Kingdom of God. Jesus had come to set the captives free, and that certainly includes women enslaved by cultural roles that deem then unworthy of equality with men.
   These women would also have been learning along with The Twelve. You can even say they were Jesus’ disciples, too, as the term applies to all who pursued his teachings and learned from him. Jesus graciously welcomed women into his midst to use their gifts, witness his miracles and receive his teachings.
   These women would not only be supporting Jesus and helping the physical aspects of his ministry, we can understand, too, they would be a living testimony to Jesus’ healing, transforming powers. The Kingdom of God thrives when all whom Christ has healed testify of God’s grace and power to heal.  
   The Bible records many more ways our Lord affirms women. As in all things we hear, put away the world’s deceptions. Listen closely to God’s words. Believe and live what he says.  
 

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God.
 
ONE of those days Jesus went to pray. That phrase should give us pause to consider is an essential substance to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. A constant warfare of flesh and spirit against the gospel message attempted to disrupt Jesus’ saving ministry. Opposition confronted our Lord through the devil’s temptation in the desert, overwhelming fatigue as crowds pressed against him and the Pharisees’ very persistent rejection of Jesus’ authority.
   What then does Jesus, who is fully man and fully God, do in this battle? Jesus goes for help. We recall from Luke 4 that Jesus was not about Kingdom business on his own. The Father and the Spirit are intimately involved. The Father showed to the Son what he must do and say. The Spirit gives the Son power and discernment to know how to fulfill the Father’s mission. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” (Luke 4:18a) and the Son does as empowered.
   That’s why Jesus stopped his work for a night. He needed to receive the Father’s knowledge and the Spirit’s reviving power. You could compare his needs to the weary pastor going to his leaders to say, “I need help.” He is the worn-out missionary who longs for rest from the unstoppable oppression around him. He is the husband and father who needs some quiet time to be strengthened as a man of God. He is as the weary wife and mother who needs revived strength for all the love and care her family requires.
   The Son of Man needed some quiet, empowering time to fully engage with his creation. That’s why Jesus went to pray.
   King David defined this type of prayer time in response to his weariness and weaknesses due to opposition:  Psalms 109:4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. Read of David’s life in 1 & 2 Samuel and note how David is our example of our souls need for prayer. Recall the great opposition he faced from his enemies, his own people and his own family. He knew where to go to be revived into God’s purpose for his life. And you will also remember that sin corrupted David’s family when he stopped seeking God’s help.
   Regardless of the opposition you face today, whether it be weariness of the flesh or of the soul, be as Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Lord. Pray for the Father’s knowledge and the Spirit’s power to fulfill the Son’s gospel in his Kingdom on earth.
 

Matthew 21:28-32 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
 
HAVE you noticed how often Jesus contrasts tax collectors and prostitutes with the ruling Jews? To the priests and elders – and to the culture – there were no greater sinners than tax collectors and prostitutes. They were social and cultural outcasts. It was easy to judge them because their outward lives revealed their sins. Surely God had no time for them!
   Then Jesus proves us wrong. Jesus ministers his grace with two consistent points throughout the gospels. First the priests, Pharisees and Sadducees should be the most righteous in Israel. They are the ones who have received the legacy of service and the education of God’s Word. They know the Scriptures in their heads. But Jesus often points out they have no heart knowledge.
   The second point is that the LORD God is willing to receive all who repent and turn to him in love. In this case, Jesus reminded the Jews, “You did not believe him (John the Baptist), but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.”  These disdained public sinners had heard John’s preaching. They listened and obeyed. Their lives changed from wrong to right as they began to walk in the favor of God’s forgiveness. With God all things are possible.
   Repentance is not merely saying, “Forgive my sins, Lord.” and then deliberately repeating your sins. Repentance is a heart change that leads to heart righteousness. Such a life is purposefully and lovingly marked with God’s holy law. One joyfully does what must be done because God has said this is what you must do.
   The elders and priests were like many today who say, “I’m faithful to God.” But as the second son, their lives are based on their own convenience, not their heart’s obedience. Only in their self-view are they righteous, thinking “I’m good.” when really they are not.
   Which son are you? The one who did right or the one who just said he would? Jesus commands Kingdom citizens to be disciples of integrity. Words you speak must be words from your heart.