John 3:2-15
Nicodemus: You are a teacher authenticated by God with signs and must have some special teaching. (3:2)
Jesus: I am the one who has come to bring the birth from above which everyone must experience. This is what the signs point to. I’m not just a teacher come with a special teaching. (3:3)
Nicodemus: How? Can one be physically born again? (3:4)
Jesus: It is not a physical birth, but a birth of the Spirit. (3:5-6)
Jesus: How it happens is a mystery. But the effects of the Spirit’s work are discernable. (3:7-8)
Nicodemus: How is the new birth of the Spirit now possible? (3:9)
Jesus: Now is the time of the Spirit so that people can be born of the Spirit [earthly things]. (3:10-12)
Jesus: It is possible through the Son of Man descending and ascending – being lifted up on the cross, the resurrection and his ascension into heaven, from which place he will pour out the Spirit [heavenly things] to give eternal life/the birth of the Spirit. (3:13-15)
William S. Higgins
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