Summary: A Jewish leader, Nicodemus, meets Jesus at night on behalf of some of the ruling group to figure out who or what Jesus really is. Jesus tries to explain, but Nicodemus hears everything too literally. So Jesus and the author explain more: to be in God's kingdom, one must be completely changed spiritually, and good chose to make such a process available by sending Jesus, unique in power, to die as a sacrifice for all. This process is a gift, freely given, but must be accepted to be used.
At another time (i.e. historians don't know if it was really before or after this, but thematically it fits here), John the Baptist gets news from his disciples that Jesus is not only baptising like John is, but also saying it's not even necessary anymore. John, to their surprise, only supports Jesus, likening himself to a groomsman at a wedding, just happy to be part of the wedding party. The author finishes the chapter with his own testimony, with Jesus having authority over everything.
Response: In our Testimony Chart, we now have a Jewish leader finding Jesus to be, at the very least, a good teacher (a box which Jesus chafes at and breaks out of); John the Baptist gives Him authority over his ministry; and the author twice jumps into the narrative, building the framework of Jesus as Head, and also as Sacrifice.
There's a song that has stuck with me for a few years, The Brilliance's "Who is Jesus?" There are so many possibilities there, and each one more or less true. But Jesus, as a mentioned, has a hard time staying in a little box. Lord, may I continue to testify to Your love for me as You find more and more ways to outdo Yourself.
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