It was late, almost bedtime, when the Jewish leader came to Jesus' residence. Into Jesus' presence came Nicodemus, one of the best-known Jewish professors in all of Israel (a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin). Nicodemus finally reached the short ruddy-faced leader of the disciples, and he 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 (John 3:2)."

However, Jesus then said something very strange. It really amounted to a put-down of Nicodemus. It was a strange move on Jesus' part, because here he was, a common, ordinary, lower middle class preacher, being honored by a visit from the respected and well-known Nicodemus. On top of that, the eminent Nicodemus was even acknowledging that Jesus actually had somethi…