If the second chapter of John proves the ruin of man, the third chapter presents the complete setting aside of the man that is ruined in order to bring in a new race by the sovereign action of God in new birth and the work of Christ upon the cross (John 3:1-16). Nevertheless, the sovereignty of God does not set aside the responsibility of man. Hence, man’s responsibility to come to the light and believe in the Son is fully set forth (John 3:17-21).
The Sovereignty of God
The deeply important truths connected with God’s sovereign work in man are developed in the story of Nicodemus, one who presents man at his best. Yet we learn that all these human excellencies will not enable a man to enter the kingdom of God, for that which is flesh is flesh. Apart from the sovereign grace of God working in us, none would come to Christ.
Nicodemus had reached a right conclusion about Christ, based upon the external evidence of miracles. It was so far a just conclusion which the human mind is capable of reaching, but, if nothing more than human reason, it leaves the soul at a distance from God and without any sense of the need of Christ. However, there was in Nicodemus a sense of need. Others reasoned and stayed away; Nicodemus also reasoned but came, proving that behind his reasoning, and unknown to himself, there was a work of God in his soul, producing a sense of need and drawing him to Jesus. The moment a sense of need is produced in the soul, there is the consciousness that the religion of the flesh — official position as a ruler and reputation as a teacher — are not enough. When this sense of need is produced by the Spirit, there will be at the same time the consciousness that only Christ can meet it. Hence the soul is drawn to Christ.
The Necessity of New Birth
Nicodemus calls the Lord Rabbi (Master), taking the place of the learner. With no real knowledge of himself, he imagines that he is quite capable of learning if only he has someone to teach him. The Lord’s reply, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” at once sweeps away Nicodemus’ natural aptitude to learn, for it is all of the old nature and worthless when it is a question of being taught in the things of God. By human reason and natural abilities we can see a great many things in nature, but we cannot see the kingdom of God. For this there must be a work of God in the soul, here spoken of as new birth. This work of God is necessary not only to see the kingdom but also to enter it. To have part in the kingdom in any form, whether morally or in its outward glory, there must be a nature suited to the kingdom.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh” is a far-reaching statement. It shows that nothing after the flesh will do for the kingdom of God. We have then the necessity of this new birth, but we learn further, in verses 7-8, that this new birth is entirely of God. In contrast with Nicodemus and the leaders of Israel who took the place of teachers and yet were ignorant of their own Scriptures, the Lord spoke of truths of which He had perfect knowledge and testified of things that He had seen. He not only knows what is in man (John 2:25), but He knows all that is in the heart of God. He knows the greatness of God’s grace to meet our need. Nevertheless, the Lord has to add, “Ye receive not our witness.” When One testifies who has perfect knowledge and that witness is rejected, it proves the utter hopelessness of man when left to himself. Thus we have a complete exposure and setting aside of the natural man at his best. All proves the great truth that man “must be born [anew]” — a better translation than “again,” for the word does not imply a modification or change of the old nature, but the impartation of a nature that is entirely new from its beginning. The Holy Spirit does not work on the natural man, as if to turn a bad state into a good state; rather, there is wrought in the man that which is entirely new.
Heavenly Things
In the first part of the chapter the Lord has been speaking of earthly things — the kingdom of God and the necessity of new birth to see and enter the kingdom. In verses 12-13, the Lord passes on to speak of heavenly things and eternal life and the necessity of the cross. If new birth is needed in order to see earthly things, much more is it needed to apprehend heavenly things. There is One who in grace came down from heaven to bring a report of heavenly things — the Son of Man, which is in heaven. This is an expression of the deepest meaning. It shows that though the Lord is truly man, yet He is a man connected with heaven. He may visit earth, but His home is in heaven. It is not, however, the thought of God that Christ should be the only man in that bright scene. The Son of Man being lifted up, the good news can now be proclaimed, “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The effect of Christ’s work — of His being lifted up for all that believe — is eternal life. The believer enters into the new and heavenly relationships of the Son of Man.
God’s Side
In this passage the gospel is presented from God’s side. It is the good news of the love and purpose of God’s heart, rather than the good news of that which meets our need. The sovereignty of God is prominent, and the gospel is presented in all its greatness from God’s side. In these verses everything is traced back to its source, whether in God or man. In God, the source of all His actions is found in His love; in man, the source of all the trouble is found in what he is, and not simply what he has done. The end, in God’s purpose, is eternal life in a heavenly sphere for those who believe. For those who do not believe, the wrath of God abides on them forever.
The Responsibility of Man
If the first part of the chapter presents the sovereignty of God, the verses that follow bring before us the responsibility of man. God, in His love, has sent His Son into the world, not to condemn, but that the world through Him might be saved. If verse 17 tells us we can be saved only “through Him,” the following verses tell us that those who reject Him are “condemned already.” If they reject Christ, whatever else they may have done, they are condemned already. Man’s responsibility is based upon the fact that “light is come into the world,” revealing the heart of God. The fact that man has made himself incapable of availing himself of the light does not affect his responsibility. Men love darkness rather than light; thus, by his evil deeds man has made himself incapable of profiting by the light. Man’s evil deeds lead him to hate the light that exposes his deeds and disturbs his conscience. An uneasy conscience makes the light insupportable, while he that puts the truth into practice will not fear the light.
Christ’s Testimony
John has to add the solemn fact that “no man receiveth His testimony.” This testimony of heavenly things has no interest for men who neither understand nor desire the things of heaven. No man, if left to himself, receives the testimony of Christ. It can be received only by faith. The one who receives the testimony does so on the authority of God; he sets to his seal that God is true. The fullness of truth presented by such a glorious Person leads, if received, into the fullness of blessing — everlasting life — but if rejected, will finally leave the rejecter under the judgment of God forever.
H. Smith, adapted