Not everyone in Jerusalem was a skeptic. Those who knew of the wisdom and miraculous power of Jesus basically reacted in two ways. They were either hostile because of its challenge or interested because of its potential. John records the story of one leader of Israel who responded with interest. Thus, Nicodemus came because of the miracles Jesus had performed during the Passover season.

Moses recorded in Genesis that Abraham believed God and God counted it as righteous. So, too, Jesus gives the same key to salvation. It is trust, i.e., believing that Jesus can and will provide eternal life. He also gives Nicodemus a hint of his coming crucifixion, by comparing it with the snake Moses lifted up for healing in the desert. There, those who trusted God’s avenue of healing were healed when they looked upon the snake and depended on it as God’s instrument of healing.