9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
Confessing his ignorance, Nicodemus is obviously clueless over Jesus’ prior explanation of the necessity of one’s regeneration to enter the kingdom of God. Clearly, due to his lack of understanding, this doctrine made no sense to Nicodemus causing him to question the truth of it. Unfortunately, oftentimes our ignorance blinds us to the Truth – and ignorance to the Truth is no excuse. Jesus tells us that we fall into error when we do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. We find His words in Matthew:
29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Matt 22:29 (NIV)
Never forget that all Scripture is God breathed and is therefore profitable for us. Picking and choosing what we may want or not want to believe is simply not an option. It is pointless to take it in part merely because we do not understand it or believe it – we are to take it as a whole or not at all. Paul tells us:
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
King David also tells us:
30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 (NIV)
“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power,
you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.” C.H. Spurgeon
"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others.
Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer
Teachers are especially accountable to know the Truth as they are responsible for leading others. When they wander from the Truth, they lead others astray in their wake. Jesus comes down rather hard on the Pharisees in regard to this in Matthew:
13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matt 23:13 (NIV)
James gives us fair warning regarding this as well:
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 (NIV)
Having professed a clear knowledge, a teacher is all the more bound to obey it- practically speaking, practicing what they preach. Hence in our verses for today, Christ gives Nicodemus a reproof for his dullness and ignorance. Being one of Israel’s leading teachers he should have understood Jesus’ teaching.
I am reminded of the prophet Hosea’s words:
9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. Hosea 14:9 (NIV)
“Lord, strengthen our faith, inflame our love, enlarge our views, support us in trials, guide us by thy counsel, and receive us into glory, that we may sing thy praises to all eternity. Amen.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. Psalms 18:31-33 (NIV)