Book of John: John 3-4
This week we dove into John 2–4 and watched Jesus meet three very different people—Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and a Roman official—and call each of them into deeper faith. The big idea was comparison. We often measure ourselves against others in looks, wealth, intelligence, or social media, and it leaves us feeling less than. Scripture calls us to compare ourselves to Christ instead. When we do, we see our need for Him clearly and our hearts are drawn to Him.
John’s Gospel is written to show that Jesus is the Son of God. We revisited John 1: Jesus is the Word (Logos), the Creator, and the Light opposed by darkness, rejected by His own. John reveals Jesus through seven discourses, seven “I am” statements, and seven signs. After last week’s first sign—water turned into wine—we moved into Jesus’ powerful conversation with Nicodemus. At the end of John 2, we’re told Jesus “knew what was in man.” That matters when Nicodemus arrives at night. He’s a Pharisee, a respected teacher, and deeply religious. He recognizes Jesus as a teacher from God because of the signs, but Jesus goes straight to the heart: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Religion, status, and knowledge aren’t enough. Spiritual rebirth is essential.
Nicodemus initially misses the point, taking Jesus literally. Jesus clarifies that one must be “born of water and the Spirit.” Rather than focusing on ritual baptism, Jesus points us back to Ezekiel 36—God promises to cleanse His people (“I will sprinkle clean water on you”) and to put His Spirit within them, giving them a new heart. Even the water jars at Cana were for purification. Jesus fulfills and surpasses Old Testament purification and promise. Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, should have recognized this. It’s a reminder that we can’t truly grasp the New Testament without seeing how the Old Testament prepares the way. The Bible is one unified story pointing to Jesus.
Jesus then reveals His mission: He is the Son of Man who descended from heaven and must be lifted up—like the serpent in the wilderness from Numbers 21—so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. We all love John 3:16, but Jesus keeps going, calling us out of darkness into the Light. Real faith steps into the Light so that our lives show God’s work in us. This isn’t about starting over in our own strength; it’s about trusting Jesus, receiving cleansing and a new heart, and living in obedience as the Spirit empowers us. The American church often talks about being filled with the Spirit without the fruit of obedience. Scripture is clear: when the Spirit enters, He leads us to walk in God’s ways—not out of obligation, but love.
John also highlights the humility of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That posture changes how we handle pressure, conflict, temptation, and success. When Jesus increases in our priorities, our ego and impulses can finally decrease. Then in John 4, Jesus goes through Samaria—where most Jews avoided—and meets a woman at a well. The long history between Jews and Samaritans makes His choice stunning. He asks for a drink, offers living water, and reveals that true worship isn’t about a place—it’s about worshiping the Father in spirit and truth. He even plainly reveals His identity: “I who speak to you am He.” She’s transformed and immediately shares her testimony. Meanwhile Nicodemus slips away quietly. It’s a striking contrast: Jesus isn’t looking for polished religion; He’s calling for honest repentance, wholehearted faith, and bold witness.
We also saw a Roman official whose son was dying. From a Pharisee in Jerusalem, to a Samaritan woman in Sychar, to a Roman in Galilee, Jesus calls all people—religious, rejected, and powerful—to trust His word and step into the Light. The official believed Jesus before he saw the outcome, and his whole household believed. It’s a beautiful picture of taking Jesus at His word. And don’t miss Nicodemus’s journey: he starts curious at night (John 3), speaks up a bit in John 7, and finally steps into the daylight in John 19 to help bury Jesus with extravagant spices—likely at great personal cost. That’s a heart moving from curiosity to conviction and courage. Following Jesus costs our pride, plans, and comfort—but He’s worth it.
Discipleship next steps:
Read Ezekiel 36, John 3–4, and John 19. Ask God to connect the Old Testament promise of cleansing and new heart to Jesus’ work in you today.
Pray daily: “King Jesus, help me receive Your word and live Your word. You must increase; I must decrease.”
Step into the Light. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one area of hidden darkness, confess it to God, and share it with a trusted believer for accountability.
Put faith into action. Identify one area where you need to trust Jesus at His word and obey Him there today.
Share your story. Like the Samaritan woman, tell one person this week how Jesus has met you and changed you—even if it’s simple and short.
Evaluate where you’ve been comparing yourself to others. Confess it and fix your eyes on Christ as your standard.
If you’ve relied on religion, knowledge, or good works, ask Jesus to make you truly “born again”—to cleanse you and fill you with His Spirit. Commit to daily Bible reading (start with 20 minutes) and journal what you learn, letting obedience flow from knowing God’s Word.