Nicodemus, like us, is attracted to Jesus. This new teacher fascinates him. Nicodemus examines all the facts he can find. They convince him that God has sent Jesus, for no one can do such miracles unless God is with him. Every illness receives a complete cure – instantly! The crippled walk! The blind see! Reports from Galilee even tell of water turning into wine (John 2).
Yet the same reports disturb leaders like Nicodemus. John the Baptizer has introduced Jesus to the nation. John announces that Jesus is far greater. Though John baptizes in water, Jesus will baptize in the Holy Spirit. Though John is the older man, he claims Jesus existed long before him. More than that, John likens Jesus to a lamb. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” What can this mean? How can any human be a sacrifice to forgive sins?
Doubts and questions swirl in the mind of Nicodemus. His meeting with Jesus only seems to add more questions. For Jesus speaks of strange things – another birth, the mystery of wind, earthly things and heavenly things. Jesus then reminds Nicodemus of an ancient event:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent [snake] in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life (John 3:14-15).
Why did Moses use a snake? What can this mean about Jesus?