Though Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel, he failed to understand basic essential matters of salvation. Jesus asserted Himself as the Son of Man having come from heaven and the only trusted source of heavenly and earthly information. Everyone else, due to the sin nature and their need for spiritual life, have perceptions and understanding incomplete in regard to a heavenly perspective. Then Jesus asserted His coming crucifixion so perplexing to the human perspective: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will have eternal life.” (14-15). How difficult it would be for His disciples to grasp the essential suffering of the Messiah as the foundation and source of life! Life would not come from a fight with Israel’s political oppressors, but from a man willing to surrender His life for all.