HOST: Michael Whitworth
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
To be born again—to start over, a new beginning, a second chance. It was a strange concept to Nicodemus, who could only conceive of the impossibility of a second physical birth. But the rebirth of which Jesus spoke was not a physical one but spiritual. That spiritual rebirth is still offered today, and it is still difficult for many to understand. We don’t often get the chance to erase the failures and mistakes of the past and have a fresh start, but God gives us that opportunity through Christ. But being born again is not just an opportunity; it is a necessity. Notice that Jesus says that, in order to see the kingdom of God, we “must be born again” of water and the Spirit (for more on being born again, see Romans 6:1-7). It is such a simple act of obedience and submission, and yet it opens up so many wonderful blessings to us in Christ. What an amazing thought, that God allows us to be born again!
Have you been born again? If so, how has it changed your life?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
