Parent and Family Background
Many Pharisees felt that Jesus threatened their role as religious leaders. But one Pharisee, Nicodemus, came to Jesus secretly at night. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, the high Jewish civic council.
Nicodemus calls Jesus Rabbi. Rabbi was a title that students of scribes gave to their teacher. Rabbi means “my master” or “teacher.” It is a title that shows great respect.
Jesus says that Nicodemus must be born again in the Spirit of God. Jesus means that one who is close to God experiences a change of heart. The person looks at life in a new way. Jesus is calling Nicodemus to be open to how God’s Spirit can give him a new life.
Nicodemus
John 3:1-12
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus at night so that nobody would see him. He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher that has come from God. No one could do the signs that you are doing unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Nicodemus did not understand. He asked, “How can a grown person be born again? Surely one cannot reenter a mother’s womb and be born again.”
Jesus answered, “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Nicodemus still did not understand. So, Jesus continued, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you can hear the sound of it. But, you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. That is how it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus asked, “How can this happen?”
Jesus answered, “You are a Pharisee and still you do not understand? When I tell you about earthly things you do not believe it. How will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”
Connecting to Faith First - Legacy Edition
Grade 5, chapter 12
Junior High, Mystery of God, Chapter 12
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 7
Connecting to Faith First®
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 4