Bible Study Devotional Is Back! John 3:9-12. Earthly Things And Heavenly Things
Thankfully, I am now done with finals week for summer classes and can begin writing more often on Steemit again! I apologize to all my readers for my week-long absence.
In the last Bible Study Devotional, we went further in-depth on the meaning of Jesus’ words “you must be born again.” Today, we will continue with John chapter 3 verse 9.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
It seems that Nicodemus was still not fully grasping the spiritual nature of Jesus’ sayings regarding being “born again” or “born from above.”
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
The word for “master” here is the Greek word for “learned teacher” and it probably references Nicodemus’ position within the sect of the Pharisees, who were the Jewish sect most focused on an in-depth study of the Scriptures. Despite Nicodemus’ extensive knowledge of the Scriptures and his being taught by the religious authorities of his day, he did not have knowledge and experience of the spiritual realities that Jesus spoke of.
On a similar note, it is unfortunate that even within the religion of Christianity there are some who may have a lot of “learning” and background in their religion or denomination but it does not always translate into true Godly wisdom, let alone a close relationship with the Creator.
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Many do not know this, but both of the word for “testify” and “witness” in this verse are the same Greek root word as “martyr.” Jesus would go the grave, to martyrdom, as would his Apostles, for speaking the truths that Jesus the Son of God knows from his experience of the heavenly realm from where he came.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Whether you read the Gospels at a glance or go through them with a fine-tooth comb, it is plain that Jesus often speaks of so-called “earthly things.” For instance, his parables and sayings often deal with common, everyday earthly things like seeds, fruit, vines, fathers and sons, masters and servants. Jesus also had many teachings regarding what he expects from his followers in their lives on earth.
If we do not take those practical and earthly things seriously, believe them and act on them, why would we really believe in and trust the truth of the lofty things regarding spiritual reality that Jesus spoke? He makes a good point…
May God give us the grace and strength to live out his Word and to believe even those things that may be difficult for us to believe.
Amen
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” – Proverbs 8:11
All Bible Verses are from the KJV Unless Otherwise Noted
All images used are in the public domain from Pixabay
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