“Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?”
Jesus answered, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things? I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I have told you people about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” —John 3:9-12
Confessing his ignorance, Nicodemus is clueless over Jesus’ prior explanation of the necessity of being born again in order to enter the kingdom of God. Due to his lack of understanding, this teaching made no sense to Nicodemus, causing him to question the truth of it. Unfortunately, there are times when our ignorance blinds us to the truth. And yet, ignorance of the truth is no excuse for our lack of understanding. Jesus tells us that we fall into error when we do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. We find His words in Matthew:
“Jesus answered them, “You are deceived, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God. ” —Matthew 22:29
Never forget that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for us. Picking and choosing what we may or may not want to believe or understand is simply not an option. We are to take it as a whole or not at all. Paul tells us:
“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16-17
King David said:
“The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the LORD's promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.” —Psalm 18:30
Teachers are especially accountable for knowing the truth as they are responsible for leading others. When they wander from the truth, they lead others astray in their wake. Jesus came down hard on the Pharisees in regard to this:
“But woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You keep locking people out of the kingdom of heaven! For you neither enter nor permit those trying to enter to go in.” —Matthew 23:13
James gives us fair warning regarding this as well:
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.” —James 3:1
Take It to Heart
I am reminded of the prophet Hosea’s words:
“Who is wise? Let him discern these things! Who is discerning? Let him understand them!
For the ways of the LORD are right; the godly walk in them, but in them the rebellious stumble.” —Hosea 14:9
“Lord, strengthen our faith, inflame our love, enlarge our views, support us in trials, guide us by thy counsel, and receive us into glory, that we may sing thy praises to all eternity. Amen.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky
“Indeed, who is God besides the LORD? Who is a protector besides our God? The one true God gives me strength; he removes the obstacles in my way. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.” —Psalm 18:31-33
“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.” —C. H. Spurgeon
Further Reflections
“Hence, in our verses for today, Christ gives Nicodemus a reproof for his ignorance. Being one of Israel’s leading teachers he should have understood Jesus’ teaching.“The word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” —A.W. Tozer