Dim Faith
John 3:19-21
- We
spend so much time talking about the judgment of God when Jesus already has
told us the verdict. (verse 19)
- Κρίσις – krisis – kree’-sis – by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law): – accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.[1]
- the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)[2]
These verses of Scripture, the very words of Jesus, must be put into proper context. This is a conversation that Jesus is having with Nicodemus, who came to him by the cover of night so not to be seen, something that broke Levitical Law. We therefore understand a lot more about Nicodemus and his membership as a Pharisee and as a ruling member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus was one of the members of the college of judges who was over the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had their own judges broken into two categories, the Great Sanhedrin consisting of 71 judges and the lesser Sanhedrin consisting of 23 judges. We know the names of two other members of the Jewish ruling council; Hillel the elder who was the teacher of Jesus, and Gamaliel, the grandson of Hillel, who was the teacher of Saul (Paul). So, we therefore now know the 3 out of 7 people on the Jewish ruling council had a favorable opinion of Jesus. (Acts 5:27-39)
Darkness Defined
- Dark Religious Beliefs- Jesus explains to Nicodemus about being born again and that meant changing the way he thinks, teaches and especially…. judges. (John 3:10-15) (Romans 14:1-4)
- Dark Hidden Sin- Jesus is clear that Nicodemus, even as a well-respected teacher, had sin in his life. (John 3:19-20) (Romans 13:8-14)
- Dark Discernment- Jesus tells Nicodemus that he can’t see his own faults and therefore he can’t completely understand truth. (John 3:21) (Matthew 7:1-5)
[1]Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Hendrickson Publishers. Peabody, Massachusetts. 2007. pg. 1643. G2920.
[2] Thayer’s Greek Definitions. eSword. G2920. Accessed 10/22/19.