John 3:2 English Standard Version (ESV) This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Catching up with yesterday’s offering, this is the moment in John 3 where Nick places himself at risk. In order to understand that we shall need to know a little more about this Pharisee’s beliefs. What I copied from BLB.ORG yesterday was not everything they believed.

They held strenuously to a belief in the existence of good and evil angels, and to the expectation of a Messiah; They were bitter enemies of Jesus and his cause; and were in turn severely rebuked by him for their avarice, ambition, hollow reliance on outward works, and affection of piety in order to gain popularity. (Source; Bible Outline BLB.ORG)

What Nick is asking of Jesus is at the core of John 3:16, “Are you the Messiah?” He does not ask directly but acknowledges that only God can do what Jesus has done. He seeks a direct answer without asking a direct question. “By what authority do you have the right to challenge who I am and what I believe?”

Jesus answers Nick in the same manner in which Nick asks, in his heart without words, because Nick believes that only God can know his innermost thoughts.

John 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nick wants to see the Messiah come to rule and reign according to his understanding and beliefs. Once again Jesus answers Nick by challenging everything Nick thinks he understands. Jesus challenges his belief system.

In the next few verses leading up to John 3:16 Jesus answers Nick’s questions and leaves a trail that only faith can follow. Jesus uses a term Nick is familiar with, Son of Man. Jesus points to prior acts Nick is familiar with, Moses and the serpent symbol. He tells Nick that He as the Son of Man must be lifted up to save Israel. 

Now comes John 3:16 and Nick now has to understand that God the Father has seen His only begotten Son to be the sin atonement for Israel. It is taking everything Nick knew and worked for and unravels it all by challenging his faith, the one thing Nick thought he had right.

Nick had to watch and wait as his Messiah went about fulfilling all the prophecies Nick thought he understood, but had to watch it all unravel in light of the truth being executed in front of him.

What does that have to do with our risks?