John 3:3-5 (ESV)
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (or from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Have you ever had a conversation where the other person just didn’t track with you? You thought your point was easily understood, but the other person just could not get there? So it was in this exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus. Yet, in the midst of it all came a passage of scripture that is probably the most commonly referenced gospel statement ever uttered—John 3:16. But let’s stay on today’s verses for now.
What question did Jesus answer in verse 3? Nicodemus didn’t ask one, actually. B.F. Westcott says, “The Lord answered not his words, but his thoughts.” As we saw in John 2:25, Jesus “knew what was in man,” so He recognizes Nicodemus’ greatest need. As a religious Pharisee, Nicodemus had spent his entire life focused on doing works to attain right standing with God. But as their dialog evolves into a monologue, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that a person is saved not by his doing…but by Jesus’ dying! In the blink of an eye, Jesus cut to the chase to describe the greatest need of every man and woman who has ever been born once:
They must be born again.
The old saying is short but sure: Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once. It’s a concept that Nicodemus, an old man, could not quite get his mind around. He was stuck on thinking literally— “can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb”—rather than spiritually. It’s a distinction that many people have struggled with over the years. As Gary Brady points out, “A major way to speak about regeneration then is in terms of being born again. However, there are other pictures—being washed, receiving a new heart or spirit, having God’s law in the mind and on the heart, and having the heart circumcised. In each case, we are talking about a major radical and inward change brought about by God.”
The lights come on. Your thinking about salvation is quickened…and you get it. Nicodemus wasn’t there, yet, but I sure hope he got there. I believe he did, especially after Jesus’ resurrection, although the bible does not say that. But the bigger question is this: Do YOU get it? Do YOU understand the distinction between your natural birth and your spiritual birth? For some, it took place in an instant, while for others it took place more gradually. In both cases, there was a transformation, and they knew it.
Sadly, most people in America who consider themselves Christians…probably aren’t. Just ask someone who says they are a Christian…”Why do you say that? What makes you a Christian?” Odds are good that you won’t hear them say anything about being born again. They will say they believe in God…try to do the right things…need to go to church more…read their bible more. Does any of that make you a Christian? They are good things, but…you must be born again to truly become a Christian.
Do you know it? If so, praise God! If you are not so sure, please email me and I’ll do my best to help you understand.
