On a Journey
It should be of no surprise that when we become followers of Jesus Christ, we are “knocking” the world’s status quo. The world says that we should act in a certain manner; while Jesus tells us to act differently. Today, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on God’s examination of these two groups. Both groups are on a journey, both are unique in their own right, and both are headed towards two different destinations. But what about prior to the arrival of the destination? What is different right now? Imagine its night in ancient Jerusalem and the Passover is coming (the biggest celebration and holiday in ancient Israel). Jesus is informed by one of the disciples that Nicodemus, a Pharisee has come to talk to Him.
Instead of talking about politics of the day or even who Jesus is, Jesus directs Nicodemus to the examination of these two groups.
John 3:1-4 “1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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?”
To Nicodemus’ credit, he steps right along with Jesus’s topic change and follows along eagerly into the discussion. However, Jesus wants him to immediately understand that in God’s eyes there are two groups, the Saved and Unsaved.
Typically, we the reader would be under the idea of this as a salvation only topic. However, that would be incorrect. This is a salvation and spiritual demographic discussion.
Jesus is talking more than just on salvation; instead informing that there are two groups of people, and each group will act according to their natures. For the unsaved they will act according to the world and what their own desire is. While the saved have the Spirit of God, and are directed and in fellowship by the Spirit.
John 3:5-9 “5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
But it doesn’t end there!
Not only are both groups on two different journeys and destinations; but the curriculum that we study, follow, and apply in our life is different as well. For the unsaved and spiritually bankrupt they cannot understand the saved.
It is why arguing for a non-believer to follow God’s word will not do any good. They must be saved to fully understand and appreciate this. John 3:10-13 “10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 “Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, [that is,] the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
Now here we see the critical difference in the two groups. Both groups have similarities: both are sinners, both are human, both are incapable of being perfect in this world, both have histories of being the perpetrator and victim, and both have been in situations that reflect daily life to us. However, one group has recognized what has been done for them and has turned to God for help! As they go down this new journey they will inherently depart from the unsaved, furthering their own spiritual walk as articulated by Christ.
John 3:14-18 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Ironically, this last lesson is the easiest to understand but the hardest to deal with. You see the more we who are saved follow the Lord, we undoubtedly will be walking the opposite way of those who are not saved. This means those who are not saved hate us and will even persecute us.
John 3:19-21 “19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
We can be in the world but not of the world, we can be on this journey and yet see others moving in the opposite direction due to their motivations and their ends are different from our own.
So when you are vilified or persecuted for your walk in Christ, know that He understood and has already recognized there are two different groups in this world. If you want to know more about this specific topic, just look at Jesus’ own words and that of His Apostles Paul, John, and Peter. We are in this World and will go through trouble, but we shouldn’t be afraid for Jesus has overcome.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL