Seeing Jesus as Your Friend
John 3:1-15
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came
to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who
has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is
with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can
see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said
to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a
second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very
truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of
water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the
Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born
from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with
everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these
things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet
you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we
have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about
earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about
heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who
descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that
whoever believes in him may have eternal life.