The Pathway to God
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The Pathway to God
— Dave Connolly
Today we're gonna look at John's gospel and specifically chapters three and four. And we just wanna pick up some of the main themes that we read in this portion of Scripture. So let's begin in chapter three of John's gospel.
Nicodemus
Jesus, one evening, is visited by a Pharisee called Nicodemus, who is very curious about his teaching.
John uses contrasts often to remind us that Jesus meets every person exactly where and how they most need to be met. This is a fascinating view of our attempt to find a path to God. Here we meet a good test case for the theory, "all paths lead to God".
This guy Nicodemus, he's remarkable. He's introduced as a ruler of the Jews and a teacher of Israel. He was a Pharisee, someone who was meticulous about obeying God and God's word. Sometimes the Pharisees are regarded as bad guys, but everyone back then would've seen the Pharisees as the good guys. This man is religious. He's a distinguished teacher. It's also possible that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of 70 men. He was amongst the greatest teachers in Jerusalem at the time, most probably. It's clear that he is devout and religious. He is sincere about his faith, and he's known for being a good guy. For those who like the idea that all paths lead to God, if Nicodemus cannot make it in, then we are all in trouble.
Nicodemus comes to Jesus one evening and initiates a conversation. This is, in essence, a collision of a good person who is very sincere and righteous, and Jesus. What happens when a good, moral, upright, religious person meets Jesus? Will Jesus affirm him and encourage him or will Jesus challenge and confront him?
When Nicodemus approaches Jesus, he addresses Jesus as Rabbi. Surely he is off to a good start because he's showing respect to Jesus. His first words to Jesus are complimentary for someone who is a leading religious figure in Jerusalem. He is being very respectful, even deferential to Jesus. But Jesus gets right to the heart of the matter.
Jesus says something that's been misunderstood throughout the years, but something that is crucial for all of us to understand. Look what Jesus says in verse three.
This is the part that caused a lot of misunderstanding. If we ask people what born again means, you may get the idea that it's a certain type of Christian.
So what do you think it means?
Nicodemus has a lot going for him. He has knowledge, gifts, understanding, position, and integrity. He's the equivalent of a Buddhist leader, a Catholic Cardinal, or even a Protestant Billy Graham. If all roads lead to God, then Nicodemus is at the very front of the road. But Jesus says that all of this, his knowledge, his gifts, his standing, his obedience, counts for exactly nothing.
You have to admit, Jesus is not discriminatory here. This applies not just to people who identify as Buddhists or Muslims or Hindus. He applies it to people who identify as Christians as well. We all have the same basic standing, and that's zero. Jesus says that we need to be born again whoever we are. To be born again means that we receive from God nothing less than a completely new life, a completely transformed, completely forgiven life.
Here's the amazing thing. Even a man like Nicodemus needs this. For Nicodemus to be accepted by God, God must completely remake him from scratch. Nothing less than a completely new beginning can put right all that's wrong with us. Basically, we're a write-off. Nothing is worth saving. There's nothing in us that hasn't been corrupted by sin. We don't need a minor tweak. We need every part of us that has been corroded to be changed. We don't need an upgrade. We need a completely new heart.
This may sound a little bit depressing, but it's also encouraging as well. What this means is that we're all on equal ground. Being sincere, moral, and religious doesn't help. Our relationship with God is not based on sincerity, morality, or religion. It can't be. We need to be completely remade from the inside out. Christians can't claim the higher ground. Thus far, we have heard all religions are not the same. They are contradictory. What do we do about this situation? The answer to this question is at the core of the good news that I want to give you today.
We can't do anything about it ourselves. This is the hardest thing to accept, and it's also what sets Christianity apart from every other religion. It's inherent in the phrase "Born again", and it's repeated when Jesus says,
We read that in verse five. We need a new beginning, a new birth that cleanses and renews to our very core. Christianity is not about us making ourselves better people. It's not about getting our act together. The only thing we bring to God is our need, but that's exactly what God wants from us. The way we are changed is by looking to Jesus.
A summary of verses 16 to 21 tells us this,
God loved man enough to send his Son to save them, but those who rejected Jesus are condemned. Ultimately, those who are lost, loved their sin more than they desired God.
As we continue into chapter four, we see Jesus going from conversing with an educated, powerful, prestigious man to talking to someone who's an outcast, someone who is unlearned, someone who is a self-conscious woman.
The combination of this passage along with Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus makes an important spiritual point. The gospel is for all people in all places at all times. Christ can reach every person exactly where they are, in exactly their unique situation and circumstance.
The Woman at the Well
We see clearly in this passage, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman. According to verse four, they meet because Jesus had to go through Samaria.
A map of the period shows that the shortest route for Jesus to take from Judea to Galilee would indeed take him through Samaria. Yet, for many Jews, this would be a problem. Jews seldom chose this route. There was great animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans, which went back several hundred years. Normally, Jews would cross the Jordan, travel North and then recross the Jordan, rather than travel through the land of the Samaritans.
Yet Jesus had no such prejudice. He had to go through Samaria, not only to get to Galilee but also because he had a divine appointment with a particular woman who needed to be forgiven.
In verse six, Jesus arrives at the well at midday, roughly the same time as this local woman who came to draw water. Yet the presence of this woman at the well was unusual because at midday it would be very hot indeed, not a good time to be in the sun, carrying heavy loads of water. The fact she was there at noon may indicate she was intentionally avoiding the other women who would've gathered at the well.
When she approaches Jesus, Jesus does something very startling. He asks her for a drink. Several cultural barriers stand between Jesus and this woman. Let me list them for you.
Gender, race, religion, social standing, holiness.
Any one of these things would've prevented Jesus from interacting with her. In her response in verse 9, she raises two of these barriers, but Jesus chooses not to focus on them. He suggests asking her for water is a small thing compared to the interaction they could have. If she would just ask, he would give her living water. The woman's confused by his offer. Jesus clarifies that he is not talking about literal water, but something far greater. He is offering her eternal life, claiming he is the source of it.
In verses 16 to 18 of chapter four, the conversation sounds very personal as Jesus probes into her relationships. Having offered her eternal life, he explores her need for forgiveness. She's been married five times and now she's living with a man who's not her husband.
In verse 19, the woman changes the subject. She reacts like most of us would, squirming under the light of inspection. Her promiscuity likely led to social ostracism which explains why she's drawing water at midday. Jesus' purpose wasn't to berate her or embarrass her or expose her but to explore her need. Having accomplished this, he graciously lets her change the topic.
In verses 21 to 24, she raises the point of squabbling between the Jews and the Samaritans concerning the place from which God should be worshipped. Jesus replied, from the Jews, will come a Savior, and that through him, all people, including Jews and Samaritans, will be invited to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Notice this, that she immediately goes home and begins to talk about Jesus. This is normal. The natural and right response to having met Jesus. She hadn't taken a class on evangelism. She didn't feel obligated. She just had to talk about this amazing man she met at the well. And because she believed, she told others, and we know that many others believed also.
Jesus didn't go to Samaria because he was in a hurry to get to Galilee. Rather he needed to meet with this woman. He crossed several barriers without regard for social custom. He told her who He was. He explored her need for forgiveness and He offered her eternal life.
Conclusion
My friend, can I tell you that no one is beyond the reach of God's love, His grace, and His mercy? The gospel is for each and every one of us. Because our relationship with God is not based on sincerity, morality, or religion, but on Jesus himself, we don't need enlightenment. We don't need improvement. We do need a Savior. Jesus Christ is that Savior. And he invites each of us to look to him and live. That is an invitation directly and personally to you. May you know this Jesus.
God bless you!
CONVERSATION STREET
With: Matt Edmundson & Dan Orange
What is Conversation Street?
Conversation Street is part of our live stream, where the hosts (in this case, Matt & Dan) chat through Dave's talk and answer questions that were sent in through the live stream. You can watch the conversation in the video, it starts 27 mins 46 s into the live stream, or you can go straight there by clicking here. This week’s questions and topics of conversation are:
The majority of people in the West think that they are good and have lived a good life. They aren't perfect but they are good. Therefore they are OK. What is the problem with this kind of thinking?
What does the phrase "Born Again" mean?
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." What does it mean?
We cannot inherit eternal life by our good deeds. And therefore no one is worthy of their own accord. How is this good news?
What were some of the key reasons for hundreds of years of feuds and hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans? How does Jesus break the barriers?
Do we resemble the Samaritan woman at times when we are not completely honest with God and ourselves? What is Jesus' response?
Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he is the Messiah she's been waiting for her whole life. What does it mean?
More Bible Verses on The Pathway to God
1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9 - Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Matthew 1:20,21 - But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Luke 18:16,17 - But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
1 Corinthians 8:6 - yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
1 Timothy 1:17 - Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.