Day 4 - John 3

It doesn't make sense.

Chapter three of John has the early leadership of the Jesus movement being questioned. Jesus is questioned in the middle of night by a Pharisee of the ruling council, mean while John the Baptist is questioned by his own followers. What happens when God moves and completely changes the fabric of humanity? Well there are lots of questions while humanity tries to catch up with the new movement of history.

Nicodemus, coming to Jesus in the middle of the night (possibly to keep other Pharisees from knowing what he is doing) comes and asks Jesus two very important questions. The first is how to enter into the Kingdom of God and the follow up is what does it mean to be born again. Apparently Nicodemus had heard Jesus speaking maybe during the day before and heard concepts and theology that was new to him, not only that but Jesus actually had the miracles to back up His authority to say these things.

John the Baptist on the other hand has some of is own followers come to him with questions. John's disciples were perplexed to the point of fighting amongst themselves because someone else was baptizing just down the river. Not only that but more people were going there than were coming to get baptized by John. These followers of John the Baptist knew their leader had been sent there by God and couldn't understand how someone else could have a more dynamic message.

What's interesting about these two encounters is the response by both leaders (John and Jesus) when asked about their ministries. Both of their responses lead to the same understanding for the questioner. 'Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but those who don't believe will suffer eternal wrath.' Not a very politically correct statement from these two leaders, but it's their response none the less.

What's happened recently in our culture has been a shift to the thought that there are many ways to God. That every religion, cult, and creed will eventually work it's way to the same God, the problem is that it isn't true. Jesus traveled a long way and had a bad stay if that were true. The fact is that everyone has a single decision to make. John and Jesus both knew what that decision was and were dedicated in explaining that message to those around them. Have you thought about that message?

The only way to God is through Jesus...