“There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.” Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “But how can anyone be born when he is old? ” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born? ” Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8
In this passage, the Apostle John immediately identifies Nicodemus, as a ruler of the Pharesees, a religous sect that governed the Hebrew nation and its legal-religous system (pretty much one-in-the-same). Most of the time when a Pharesee is identified in the Gospels or the book of Acts, the context is negitive. They were pious, self-indulgent and judgemental in nature and dominated the temple activities. Nicodemus was one of their leaders, but this passage makes it obvious that he had given Jesus a lot of thought.
First, he comes to Jesus at night. Jesus is considered to be a religous radical, so Nick can’t be seen with him, but he’s sincere and curious. Though I’m sure he formally carries his colleague’s official stance about Jesus, he’s pondered the realities about Who Jesus really is-could He be their Messiah? He’s doing miracles (signs) that only God could do . . .
So Nicodemus approches Jesus at night and Jesus is ready for him! Nicodemus respected Jesus enough to address Him as “teacher” and he starts by saying we know you’re from God-only He could do these kind of good things!
Now Nicodemus had obviously spent some time thinking about Jesus, Who He was and what having the Messiah around would mean to Israel, but had neglected considering what that could mean to him personally!
Jesus answers Nicodemus’ question in a way that stunned him because He answered a question that’s fundamental to all mankind. He says Nic, if you want My kind of Life-Life that connects with God, heals the sick, brings light to a dark world-“you must be born again!” What? How can someone be born again? You might ask this question as Nic did. Jesus answered, you were born in the flesh-a natural birth-that is physical birth. But sin has left you dead inside (Eph 2:1)–this is spiritual death. You need to be born again–born inside–to experience spiritual birth! Natural birth is for a natural body, while spiritual birth is for the spirit. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN, NIC! Its like the wind-you can’t see it, but you can feel it and you absolutely see its results!
“Don’t be amazed I told you this”, said Jesus.
Jesus says the same to us today and He says the ssme to you. You’ve obviously been born-you’re up walking around- but you feel dead inside. That’s why you need to be born again!
This new life comes when we realize that Jesus is the only One Who can save us-that He’s the only remedy for our sin problem! Ask Him to save you today. Admit to Him that you can’t do this on your own and that you need His help. If you ask Him to, He will!
Think about it!
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