John 3 - The Swindoll Study Bible

SIMPLE FAITH John 3:4 Nicodemus wasn’t trying to be clever or make a joke. He was totally confused. “Jesus, I am a rabbi. My world is the Torah. I know it by heart. I teach it regularly. You’re telling me about something completely foreign. How can I curl up in my mother’s womb and be born again? What do You mean by that?” Fortunately, Nicodemus didn’t let all of his learning get in the way of eventually finding simple faith (see John 7:50-51; 19:38-42).

THIS IS HOW GOD LOVED John 3:16 I think I love people deeply—until I read about the way God loves people. Chances are good I wouldn’t sacrifice my son or daughter for anyone. But God did—and He did it for all of us. He so loved you and me that He gave His Son to die for us.

Why did He do it? “So that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” You don’t have to clean up your life. You couldn’t if you tried. You just have to believe in Jesus Christ. That’s the Good News. He died for you on a cross. And if you believe in Him, you will have eternal life with God and a whole new beginning that starts from the inside out. Goodness knows we need help from the inside out.

HE MUST BECOME GREATER John 3:26-30 “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). John the Baptist’s words ring with humility and joy. John’s disciples were worried about his followers now going after Jesus, but John knew that this was good and right. John wasn’t the Messiah; he came to point to the Messiah. When Jesus arrived on the scene, John was thrilled: “I am filled with joy at his success” (John 3:29).