Why Nicodemus Failed to See Even Jesus' Earthly Teachings

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UNSEEN GOSPEL
"I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" [John 3.12]

Being born of water and spirit was something out of this world to Nicodemus, but it was still basic, earthly teaching as far as Jesus was concerned. 

Nicodemus was "Israel's teacher," very knowledgeable in sound bible-based human theology and doctrines. He was an expert actually, probably holding a doctorate degree---and yet he found Jesus' earthly teachings confusing.

What more Jesus' heavenly teachings?

One good thing about Nicodemus---he wanted to believe, so much so that he risked his life and career when he visited Jesus personally. It was an evil thing for the Sanhedrin to be associated with Jesus. But when he heard a sampling from Jesus, Nicodemus couldn't figure it out: "How can this be?" And it was merely earthly teaching.

Why did simple, uneducated folks like the disciples (Jesus himself was "unschooled" said John 7.15) understand Jesus' earthly and heavenly teachings and highly educated ones like Nicodemus, Caiaphas and Pilate didn't?

1. First, human theology and doctrines have nothing to do with Kingdom teachings.

2. Kingdom people understand Kingdom or heavenly teachings because "we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen," according to Jesus. True believers testify about what they have seen.

Seeing is vital. Jesus had said no one can "see" the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Being born-again enables you to see. And understanding Kingdom teachings is not about your educational attainment even in your theological studies. Human understanding, intellect or scholarship has nothing to do with it. 

It's about seeing.

People bitten by snakes in the time of Moses got healed when they looked at and "saw" the lifted bronze snake. And Jesus said, just as the bronze snake was lifted up, he too must be lifted up. Why? So believers could see him and understand both his earthly and heavenly teachings.

You must see Jesus clearly in every passage of the bible---Old and New Testaments. Born again does that to you. If you're not born again, you won't understand even his earthly teaching---and no wonder why church denominations today cannot agree on their doctrines.

And no wonder, too, that so many Christians don't really read their bibles. So they just stay active in church. Many young people stay out of serious bible studies but join excitedly when the church has concerts or plays. This is because they don't see anything in the spirit.

Another earthly teaching is Christ's glorious church which is without any denomination. Most pastors and church people cannot imagine this. "How can this be?" they ask.

How much more if they see Jesus' heavenly teachings---like, Christ in you the hope of glory, being God's flesh on earth through Christ, and how God will display his manifold wisdom and power in these last days to spiritual beings (both angels and devils) using his glorious church [Ephesians 3.10]?

Here it is:

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

A lot of church people can't even believe the simple truth that there is a perfect church---his glorious church which is without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. They still insist there is no perfect church---like how the fool insists that there is no God. 

Only God can open your spiritual eyes, if you are in Christ, to see what He has prepared for you. Not even your sophisticated education can open God's wonders to you.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit." [1 Corinthians 2.9-10]
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! [Job 19,26-17]

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