Continuing our expository look at the gospel of John, we start with the closing thought in chapter 2, "Jesus knows what is in man." Joined by the magic of post production, and collaboration efforts, Keith presents thoughts from Nathan Caldwell, and old time bible teacher, J Vernon McGee. Along the way, a few challenges to the text are included.

Jesus had apparently been teaching and healing. Although John is silent on what those miracles might be.

John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

Though many believed, it was a superficial, shallow faith.

24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

The people likely figured it took God to do the miraculous signs, and equated Jesus with God. However. their purpose would likely be to seek to make him a physical leader. Jesus knew his purpose, and didn't need the approval of man.

25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus knew their intent even better than they did, and didn't need their approval. .

The text moves seamlessly into the visit by Nicodemus, and his meeting with Jesus in the middle of the night.

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

From these simple words we know Nicodemus was a political leader,,, and as a Pharisee, was in the upper class. His intent showed his interest in teaching, not so much politics. Of course, he was likely motivated by the signs Jesus did. He was cautious, open minded, and ready to receive revelation.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

The fact that Nicodemus approached Jesus by night might not mean he was timid, but by the same token he was not aggressive as a disciple either. He was courteous, and not hostile. Jesus gets to the point, and abruptly cuts him off, and gets to the real point Nicodemus needed to hear.

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Born again, or of above. A spiritual birth. Keith shares a challenge over what being born again means in the face of those claiming it relates to reincarnation.

4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Nicodemus goes for the obvious, materialistic response. He possibly held an attitude of, "You can't teach old dogs new tricks."

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus restates his answer. Instead of born above, he says Born of water and spirit.

This brings up another challenge. What exactly does he mean by water and spirit? Is water physical birth, or spirit. One view is it means being born of the water of the womb, and later a spiritual birth. A second view is the water related to the repentance of what John the Baptist taught. This still requires a later spiritual baptism .

One thing it does not mean, is that water baptism has some kind of power to regenerate the lost soul.

Water is often connected to being washed in the word. The word is revealed in the opening statements of John's Gospel as the word. So salvation is to come through the water, or word, or Jesus himself.