Author Archives: Covenant Presbyterian

Scripture: John 3:11 (ESV) – “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.” In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the authority and reliability of His teaching. He speaks with certainty, using the phrase “Truly, truly” to underscoreContinue reading “Testimony and Unbelief”

Scripture: John 3:10 (ESV) – “Jesus answered him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?’” In this verse, Jesus challenges Nicodemus, exposing the gap between his role as a teacher of Israel and his lack of understanding about the foundational spiritual truths of God’s kingdom. Nicodemus, a PhariseeContinue reading “The Teacher Who Didn’t Understand”

Scripture: John 3:9 (ESV) – “Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’” This verse captures the incredulity of Nicodemus as he grapples with Jesus’ teaching about the new birth. Nicodemus, a learned Pharisee and teacher of Israel, is utterly perplexed. His worldview, centered on adherence to the Mosaic Law as the path toContinue reading “How Can These Things Be?”

Scripture: John 3:8 (ESV) – “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, highlights the profound analogy JesusContinue reading “The Wind of the Spirit”

Scripture: John 3:7 (ESV) – “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, reflects on Jesus’ gentle admonition to Nicodemus. Nicodemus, as a learned Pharisee, struggled to grasp the necessity and nature of the new birth. Jesus addresses his amazement,Continue reading “Do Not be Amazed”

Scripture: John 3:6 (ESV) – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, underscores the distinction Jesus makes between two types of birth: physical and spiritual. “Flesh” refers to natural human birth, characterized byContinue reading “Flesh and Spirit”

Scripture: John 3:5 (ESV) – “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, emphasizes the clarity and importance of Jesus’ response to Nicodemus. Jesus expands on the necessity ofContinue reading “Born of Water and the Spirit”

Scripture: John 3:4 (ESV) – “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?’” John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, reflects on Nicodemus’s question as evidence of the natural human inclination to misunderstandContinue reading “Misunderstanding the New Birth”

Scripture: John 3:3 (ESV) – “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” In this verse, Jesus introduces Nicodemus—and us—to the profound truth of spiritual rebirth. Nicodemus had come to Jesus with respect and curiosity, but Jesus immediately shifts the conversation toContinue reading “The Necessity of New Birth”

Scripture: John 3:2 (ESV) – “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.’” Nicodemus approaches Jesus under the cover of darkness, a detail filled with bothContinue reading “Seeking in the Night”