Scripture: John 3:12 (ESV) – “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”

In this verse, Jesus gently confronts Nicodemus’s unbelief. By referencing “earthly things,” Jesus likely alludes to the concept of being “born again” and the transformative work of the Spirit—a truth that, while deeply spiritual, takes place within the earthly realm. If Nicodemus struggles to understand this foundational truth, how can he grasp the deeper, more profound realities of heaven?

The document emphasizes the layered nature of Jesus’ teaching. The “earthly things” serve as an entry point, challenging Nicodemus to move beyond a purely intellectual or legalistic faith toward a Spirit-illuminated understanding. Nicodemus’s confusion highlights the human tendency to resist truths that defy natural reasoning or challenge established paradigms.

John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, reflects on the significance of Jesus’ distinction between earthly and heavenly truths. Calvin notes that Jesus is not dismissing Nicodemus but patiently guiding him toward a fuller understanding. The inability to grasp earthly things reveals the need for humility and reliance on divine illumination. Calvin also underscores that heavenly truths—God’s eternal plans, the nature of His glory, and the fullness of His kingdom—are far more profound and require a faith grounded in the Spirit’s work.

For us, this verse serves as both a challenge and an encouragement. It reminds us that faith begins with embracing the foundational truths of the gospel and grows as we trust God to reveal deeper realities. It also calls us to examine areas of unbelief in our lives and to approach God’s Word with humility, recognizing our need for the Spirit’s guidance.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does this verse challenge you to examine your understanding of foundational gospel truths?
2. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to move from intellectual understanding to Spirit-led faith?
3. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Spirit to guide you into the “heavenly things” of God’s truth?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for patiently teaching us, even when we struggle to believe and understand. Help us to embrace the foundational truths of Your Word with faith and humility, trusting You to guide us into deeper understanding. Strengthen our hearts to receive both earthly and heavenly truths, and teach us to rely on Your Spirit to illuminate our minds and transform our lives. In Your name, Amen.

*This devotional is based upon material from a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*

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 underscore the truth of His words. Jesus contrasts His testimony, based on firsthand knowledge of heavenly realities, with the unbelief of those, like Nicodemus, who fail to receive it. This highlights a significant barrier to salvation: the unwillingness to accept divine revelation.

The document highlights that Nicodemus’s struggle is representative of a broader human problem. Many hear the truth of the gospel but resist it, either because it challenges their preconceived notions or because it demands a humility they are unwilling to embrace. Jesus’ words reveal the tragic irony of human unbelief—rejecting the very truth that offers life and salvation.

John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ divine authority in this statement. He notes that Jesus is not offering speculation or opinion but bearing witness to the eternal truths of God’s kingdom. Calvin also highlights the plural “we,” which may refer to Jesus and the witness of the prophets or even the collective testimony of the Trinity. Despite the clarity and power of this testimony, many, like Nicodemus, remain blind to its truth because of their spiritual hardness.

For us, this verse serves as a call to examine our own hearts. Are we truly receiving the testimony of Jesus, or are we resisting His truth in certain areas of our lives? It challenges us to embrace the authority of His Word with humility and faith, trusting that His testimony is sure and life-giving.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ emphasis on speaking from firsthand knowledge challenge you to trust in the reliability of His Word?
2. Are there areas in your life where you are resisting the testimony of Jesus? How can you surrender those areas to Him?
3. How can you bear witness to the truth of the gospel in your own life, following Jesus’ example of bold and faithful testimony?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing witness to the eternal truths of God’s kingdom. Forgive us when we resist Your testimony or fail to trust in the reliability of Your Word. Teach us to receive Your truth with humility and faith, allowing it to transform our hearts and lives. Help us to follow Your example in bearing witness to others, pointing them to the hope and salvation found in You. In Your name, Amen.

*This devotional is based upon material from a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*

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 Pharisee and respected religious leader, is expected to have deep knowledge of Scripture. Yet, his inability to grasp the concept of spiritual rebirth highlights the limitations of human wisdom and the need for divine revelation.

The document underscores that Jesus’ rebuke is not merely a critique of Nicodemus but a broader indictment of the religious system that emphasized external observance over internal transformation. The new birth, as revealed in passages like Ezekiel 36:26–27, was not a new concept. The Scriptures had long pointed to the necessity of a changed heart and the work of God’s Spirit in bringing about true righteousness.

John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, reflects on this verse as a call to humility for all who teach or study God’s Word. He notes that knowledge of the Scriptures is not enough if it does not lead to a true understanding of God’s grace and power. Nicodemus’s failure to comprehend the new birth serves as a warning against reliance on intellectual pride or superficial knowledge. True understanding comes from a heart illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

For us, this verse is a reminder that spiritual insight is not dependent on position, education, or status but on a relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond head knowledge to a deeper, Spirit-led understanding of His truth. It also calls us to approach His Word with humility, asking the Spirit to guide us into all truth.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Nicodemus’s struggle challenge you to examine whether your understanding of Scripture is rooted in head knowledge or Spirit-led insight?
2. Are there areas in your life where you rely on human understanding instead of seeking God’s guidance through the Spirit?
3. How can you cultivate a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and understanding?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us that true understanding comes not from human wisdom but from Your Spirit. Forgive us when we rely on our own knowledge or position instead of seeking You with humble hearts. Illuminate our minds and hearts as we study Your Word, and lead us into a deeper understanding of Your truth. Help us to teach and live out Your gospel with sincerity and Spirit-filled wisdom. In Your name, Amen.

*This devotional is from material found in a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*

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 to righteousness, is being turned upside down. Jesus’ words challenge him to recognize that salvation is not about human effort or merit but about a spiritual transformation that only God can accomplish.

The document emphasizes that Nicodemus’s question is not unique to him but reflects a universal struggle. Many people, when confronted with the radical grace of the gospel, find it hard to comprehend. Like Nicodemus, they ask, “How can these things be?” Salvation by grace through faith alone defies human logic, as it shifts the focus from what we do to what God does for us.

John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, underscores that Nicodemus’s confusion stems from his reliance on human reasoning and a legalistic understanding of God’s ways. Calvin emphasizes that the doctrine of spiritual rebirth should not have been foreign to Nicodemus. The Old Testament pointed to the necessity of a new heart and a new spirit, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 30:6 and Ezekiel 36:26. Nicodemus’s failure to grasp this teaching reveals the spiritual blindness that can result from pride in one’s knowledge or works.

For us, Nicodemus’s question is a reminder of the need for humility when approaching God’s truth. It challenges us to let go of our assumptions and trust in God’s Word, even when it defies our understanding. The new birth is a supernatural work of God, and our response should be one of faith and surrender.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Nicodemus’s struggle with Jesus’ teaching resonate with your own experiences of wrestling with spiritual truths?
2. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on human reasoning instead of trusting in God’s supernatural work?
3. How can you cultivate a deeper humility and openness to God’s Word, even when it challenges your assumptions?

Prayer:
Lord God, we confess that, like Nicodemus, we often struggle to understand Your ways. Teach us to approach Your truth with humility and faith, trusting in Your power to accomplish what we cannot. Open our hearts to the reality of the new birth and help us to surrender to Your transforming work. May we find peace in knowing that salvation is Your gift, not our achievement. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

*This devotional is from material found in a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*

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 Jesus uses to describe the work of the Holy Spirit. By comparing the Spirit to the wind, Jesus emphasizes both its mysterious nature and its undeniable effect. The Spirit’s work, like the wind, is beyond human control or comprehension, yet its presence and power are unmistakable.

Calvin points out that the unpredictability of the wind reflects the sovereignty of the Spirit. Just as the wind moves freely according to its own will, so does the Spirit bring new life to whomever God chooses. This underscores that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, not dependent on human effort or understanding.

Additionally, Calvin emphasizes the visible evidence of the Spirit’s work. Though the wind is invisible, its effects—rustling leaves or bending trees—are clear. Similarly, the Spirit’s work in a believer’s life produces visible transformation: a renewed heart, new desires, and a life oriented toward God. This challenges us to examine whether our lives bear the fruit of the Spirit’s transforming power.

For us, this verse invites both humility and assurance. It calls us to trust in the sovereignty of God’s Spirit, even when we do not fully understand His ways, and to rejoice in the evidence of His work in our lives and the lives of others.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the analogy of the wind help you better understand the work of the Holy Spirit?
2. Are there ways you resist trusting in the Spirit’s sovereignty because you don’t fully understand His movements?
3. How can you recognize and cultivate the evidence of the Spirit’s transforming power in your life?

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit, moving in ways we cannot fully comprehend but whose effects we clearly see. Teach us to trust in Your Spirit’s sovereignty and to submit to Your transforming power. Help us to live lives that reflect the evidence of Your work, bearing fruit that glorifies You. Strengthen our faith in the unseen but undeniable presence of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:8, focusing on the mysterious yet powerful work of the Holy 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, reminding him that the mystery of being “born again” is not something to marvel at but to accept as a fundamental truth of God’s kingdom.

Calvin emphasizes that Jesus points to the divine necessity of this spiritual rebirth. The word “must” underscores the absolute requirement of being born again to enter the kingdom of God. It is not an optional experience for a select few but a universal necessity for all, regardless of status, knowledge, or morality.

Jesus’ words challenge Nicodemus—and us—not to rely on human reasoning to understand the spiritual work of God. Calvin notes that our amazement often stems from the limitations of our natural minds in comprehending divine truths. Instead of being surprised or skeptical, we are called to respond in faith, trusting in God’s power to accomplish what seems beyond our understanding.

For us, this verse serves as a reminder that the transformative work of the Holy Spirit is both necessary and available to all who believe. It challenges us to move beyond intellectual astonishment and to humbly accept and embrace the reality of God’s work in our lives.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ statement challenge your perspective on the necessity of being born again?
2. Are there spiritual truths you struggle to accept because they surpass human understanding? How can you approach them with faith?
3. How can you grow in trust and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching us the necessity of being born again and for making this transformation possible through the work of Your Spirit. Help us not to marvel or doubt but to humbly accept the truth of Your Word. Teach us to trust in Your power to renew our hearts and lives, and may we live as those transformed by Your Spirit. Strengthen our faith and help us to embrace Your divine work in every area of our lives. In Your name, Amen.

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This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:7, exploring his insights on the necessity and mystery of the new birth.

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 by human frailty and the inability to achieve righteousness before God. In contrast, being “born of the Spirit” signifies the divine, transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which brings new life and enables entrance into the kingdom of God.

Calvin emphasizes that human nature, corrupted by sin, cannot produce the spiritual rebirth necessary for salvation. Efforts rooted in the flesh—our natural inclinations, works, and understanding—are inadequate to bring about spiritual renewal. Only the Spirit of God can regenerate the heart, giving rise to a new creation in Christ. This highlights the absolute dependence of humanity on God’s grace for salvation.

The statement, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit,” signifies the radical transformation brought about by the Spirit’s work. Calvin reminds us that this spiritual rebirth is not a partial improvement of human nature but a complete renewal. The believer, born of the Spirit, is fundamentally changed, possessing a new heart, desires, and orientation toward God.

This verse calls us to acknowledge the limits of human effort in matters of salvation and to rely entirely on the Spirit for true spiritual life. It also challenges us to live according to the Spirit, reflecting the transformation that has occurred in our lives.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ distinction between flesh and Spirit challenge your understanding of spiritual growth and transformation?
2. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength (“the flesh”) rather than the Spirit?
3. How can you daily embrace and live out the reality of being “born of the Spirit”?

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for teaching us that true life comes only through the work of Your Spirit. Help us to recognize the limits of our own efforts and to rely fully on Your transformative power. Renew our hearts and lives through Your Spirit, enabling us to live as new creations in Christ. May we reflect the fruit of the Spirit in all we do and grow daily in our relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:6, highlighting his insights on the necessity of the Spirit’s work for spiritual transformation.

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 of being “born again,” specifying that this new birth involves both “water and the Spirit.” Calvin interprets this as a reference to spiritual cleansing and renewal, underscoring the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.

Calvin rejects the notion that “water” here refers merely to baptism as a physical ritual. Instead, he sees it as symbolic of the cleansing and purifying work of God. Baptism is a visible sign of this inward reality, pointing to the grace of regeneration that the Spirit brings. The Spirit’s role is central; it is through the Spirit that believers are given new life, washed of sin, and made new creations in Christ.

Calvin also stresses the exclusivity of Jesus’ statement: without this spiritual rebirth, no one can “enter the kingdom of God.” This shows the insufficiency of human effort, morality, or religious rituals to bring about salvation. The entrance into God’s kingdom requires a complete transformation, wrought by God’s power, not man’s.

This verse calls us to reflect on the source of our salvation. It challenges us to examine whether we are trusting in external actions or the inward renewal of the Spirit. Calvin’s insights remind us that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, bringing us into His kingdom by cleansing us from sin and giving us new life.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ teaching about being born of “water and the Spirit” challenge your understanding of salvation?
2. Are you relying on external rituals or personal efforts, or are you trusting in the Spirit’s transformative work in your life?
3. How can you more fully embrace the reality of spiritual cleansing and renewal through the Holy Spirit?

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for teaching us the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit. Cleanse us from sin and renew our hearts through the power of Your Spirit. Help us to trust not in our own efforts but in Your grace to bring us into Your kingdom. Teach us to live as new creations, reflecting the work You have done in us. May we always seek Your Spirit’s guidance and power in our journey of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:5, exploring his insights on spiritual cleansing and renewal through 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 misunderstand spiritual truths. Confronted with Jesus’ teaching about being “born again,” Nicodemus takes Jesus’ words literally, revealing his inability to grasp their deeper, spiritual meaning. Calvin sees this as a common struggle for humanity: interpreting divine matters through the lens of human reason rather than faith.

Calvin emphasizes that Nicodemus, though a learned Pharisee, was bound by earthly thinking and limited by his reliance on natural understanding. His confusion illustrates the blindness of even the most educated and devout individuals to spiritual truths apart from the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit. Calvin points out that Nicodemus’s question is not one of mockery but genuine perplexity—an honest struggle to comprehend the mystery of the new birth.

This verse reminds us that spiritual truths often appear foolish or incomprehensible to the natural mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). Calvin highlights the importance of humility in approaching God’s Word, recognizing that human wisdom is insufficient to grasp divine realities. Only through the Spirit can we move from confusion to understanding, from earthly thinking to heavenly insight.

For us, Nicodemus’s question invites reflection on our own approach to God’s truth. Are we relying on human reasoning or seeking understanding through the Spirit? It also challenges us to recognize that spiritual growth requires surrendering our limitations and trusting in God to reveal His truth.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do Nicodemus’s struggles with understanding Jesus’ teaching resonate with your own experiences of grappling with spiritual truths?
2. Are there areas where you rely too heavily on human reasoning instead of seeking understanding through the Spirit?
3. How can you approach God’s Word with greater humility and openness to the Spirit’s guidance?

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for Your patience with us when we struggle to understand Your truths. Teach us to approach Your Word with humility and dependence on Your Spirit. Like Nicodemus, we often wrestle with spiritual realities, but we trust in You to open our minds and hearts. Help us to set aside human reasoning when it hinders our faith, and lead us into the fullness of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:4, exploring his insights on human limitations and the necessity of spiritual understanding.

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 to what truly matters: the necessity of being “born again.” This concept is central to salvation and marks a complete transformation of the heart and life through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The document emphasizes that being “born again” (or “born from above”) is not about moral improvement, religious ritual, or intellectual understanding. It is a radical, God-initiated renewal that fundamentally changes one’s relationship with God. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, may have relied on his adherence to the law, his knowledge, or his status for assurance of eternal life, but Jesus’ words strip away these human efforts. Entrance into God’s kingdom is only possible through this new birth.

J.C. Ryle underscores the exclusivity and importance of Jesus’ statement. Without this spiritual rebirth, no one can “see” the kingdom of God—not merely entering it but even perceiving it. This emphasizes the blindness of the natural heart to spiritual realities and the absolute dependence on God’s grace for salvation. Ryle reminds us that this truth should lead us to humility and complete reliance on Christ.

For us, this verse challenges the notion that good works, religious rituals, or knowledge can save us. Instead, it points to the necessity of surrendering to God and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. It’s a reminder that salvation is entirely His work, calling us to trust and believe in Him.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does understanding the necessity of being “born again” shape your view of salvation?
2. Are there areas in your life where you may be relying on human efforts rather than God’s transforming grace?
3. How can you surrender more fully to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the necessity of being born again. Teach us to let go of self-reliance and trust completely in Your power to transform our hearts and lives. Help us to see the kingdom of God through the work of Your Spirit, and may we live as new creations, reflecting Your glory. Thank You for the gift of new life, and may we continually surrender to Your grace. In Your name, Amen.

*This devotional is based upon a sermon by Pastor Chris Cousine*