“Truly, truly, I say to you….”
After dark. Nicodemus seeks answers. Away from the crowds. And fellow religious leaders.
And Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Startling words to a learned Pharisee. Ruler among the Jews.
“How…?” (John 3:4).
How?
And Jesus responds with another “Truly, truly, I say to you.”
“Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5).
Again, Nicodemus questions. “How can these things be?” (John 3:9).
“Truly, truly, I say to you….” On repeat.
Jesus is speaking of what He knows and testifying to what He’s seen, but Nicodemus is unsettled. And doesn’t hesitate to ask about these teachings which make no sense to him.
For God so loved
Because of this late-night inquiry, we have some of the most repeated words of Jesus.
Quoted in classrooms and sanctuaries. Public arenas and private homes. Spoken on the street and emblazoned across billboards.
Young children memorize and recite these words.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Necessity
That night Jesus confirms the necessity of believing in the one and only Son of God.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:17-18).
Jesus gives this and more for Nicodemus to consider.
Defended Jesus
We don’t know if Nicodemus believes that night or after. But we know he later defends Jesus to the Sanhedrin (John 7:45-52).
And when the only Son of God dies on a cross, this Pharisee brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes (no small thing—75 lbs. worth, it is written). With this, he helps Joseph of Arimathea prepare the body for burial.
They lay our crucified Lord in the garden tomb (John 19:38-42) on Friday. Not fully understanding what is about to take place.
Truly, truly
Truly, truly seeking answers, Nicodemus finds a way early on to meet secretly and personally with Jesus.
The Rabbi says hard things that night. Difficult concepts to understand. Truths that don’t settle easy on the seeker’s heart.
But Nicodemus keeps asking. “How…? How can this be?” And hears the way to eternal life.
Then, after witnessing His death and burial, I have no doubt Nicodemus hears about the open tomb and empty grave clothes.
Truly, truly, he knows. Christ is risen from the dead.
What about you?
How did you seek and find the Savior? Did you wrestle with hard sayings of Christ?
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One reply on “Truly, truly”
Recently I heard John 3:16 described as “the entire Gospel” and it reminded me to consider it again. Now this reminds me!