John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Where others acknowledge that Jesus did live, they report him to be a good teacher. Sound wisdom is appreciated in most secular societies because wisdom is not religious in form. Many books have been written that share wisdom, not all of them are religious in design.
Even here Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, acknowledges Jesus as a teacher, sent of God but does not acknowledge Him as God. The history of Israel is full of prophets who moved in power. For them, another prophet moving in power was not out of place. What was not expected or accepted was the understanding that God Himself would take on human form.
Expectation seems to be key in our understanding of who is Jesus. Nicodemus had an expectation of the Messiah which was at odds with what He saw in Jesus. It was in the next verses that Jesus confounded Nicodemus’ expectations.
John 3:3-4 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Jesus confounds expectations. When I made Jesus the Lord of my life, I had expectations. He confounded my expectations and I am a believer. Imagine what He will do those who only call him teacher, or a prophet, or wise in their view? Confounding expectations can only happen for those of us who see Christ.
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Christ is the revelation.