Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3 NIV
Jesus experienced a great deal of difficulty when dealing with the religious leaders of his day. Many Pharisees sought to discredit Christ and undermine his ministry. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and therefore a powerful person in Jewish life. He sat on the ruling council and held authority to judge his own people. But in contrast to others, Nicodemus affirmed Jesus as coming from God.
Captivated by his ministry, Nicodemus approached Jesus one night with a statement that acknowledged Jesus’ miracles and ministry saying in John 3:2, “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. WEB” Nicodemus was impressed with the works of Jesus and puzzled by Jesus’ response to his statement.
When Jesus responded to him with his statement about being “born again,” Nicodemus did not understand what Christ meant. Concerned with physical matters rather than spiritual issues, Nicodemus responded, pointing to the material impossibility of rebirth. Not understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ statement, he posed an incredulous question, “Can a man enter into his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
Born of Spirit
Nicodemus understood that Jesus came from God but Jesus’ assertion about rebirth bewildered the leader. Jesus explains saying, “that which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.” In the rebirth, the flesh dies to sin and the spirit awakens to God. Nicodemus thought of rebirth as impossible but as we read in Luke 18:27, “”The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. WEB”
Like natural childbirth, rebirth involves the pain of a parent. Rather than a mother in labor, we have the suffering of God in the flesh as the sacrificial Son. He is our redeemer and Savior and the source of our salvation. Our rebirth is accomplished by faith. Set free from sin by the atonement sacrifice of Jesus and repentance to God, we find new life in Jesus Christ. We are born again.
Christ continues to explain spiritual rebirth to Nicodemus saying these famous words from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV” With this statement, Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection, opening the way to eternal life for believers.
Prayer: ‘Father God, thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you for loving me. Guide me to serve you and your kingdom all the days of my life. Lead me into eternity with you and your Son. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Love Covers All Wrongs
