"Jesus answered"

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. John 3:5,6 ESV

photo  ©2011  Ken and Nyetta, Flickr

Here we are, early on in the gospel of John and his introduction of Jesus and his teachings and Jesus is sharing some very important information with Nicodemus concerning the coming kingdom. In his teachings on being born again Jesus is making it clear that the kingdom is going to be a spiritual one. He makes it clear one must be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter into that kingdom. Jesus then goes on to make the distinctions between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit. This further indicates that the kingdom to come is not a fleshly, but a spiritual kingdom. Entrance into this kingdom is conditional. One must be reborn in order to enter in.

One thing we must remember is that the kingdom that Jesus is teaching Nicodemus about has not come into existence yet, Jesus is speaking about the kingdom to come. The conversation that John recorded was happening while the old covenant was still in effect. Jesus hadn’t gone to the cross yet. John shares this conversation in his gospel to show his readers that Jesus had taught about how one enters into the kingdom of God. The kingdom doesn’t come, until the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended to heaven.

So, as we read the gospel we can see that Jesus was preparing hearts for what they needed to know when His Kingdom was established. Even after this conversation Nicodemus walks away with information about the kingdom, but he is not a member of it yet. No one was born again until the day of Pentecost when those that heard Peter’s gospel message responded to it. Then they were born of the water and the Spirit.

As we read the Gospel of John today we see that Jesus was setting everything in place so that when the need for rebirth came, there would be a firm understanding of what was meant by it.

© 2013 leo J. Woodman

"Unless one is born again"

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.” John 3:1-3 ESV

Think about the man that Jesus addresses here. He is a Jew, a member of the leading religious party, a ruler of his people. He is coming to Jesus in secrecy. He calls Jesus Rabbi, teacher. In other words this man is approaching Jesus as one wanting to learn from him. Yet not wanting to make it public the he may have something to learn from Jesus.

Nicodemus says “we” know that you are a teacher come from God. That little two letter word we, speaks volumes. Nicodemus has admitted that the leadership of Israel recognizes that Jesus is working for God. Yet publicly they will not admit to it. Why? Because if they do they have to admit that they have something to learn as leaders.

Jesus returns Nicodemus’ greeting with a warning, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”. One would imagine that Nicodemus was quite taken aback by Jesus response. Jesus basically told him, if you want to see the kingdom of God, you must start over. Jesus is telling one of the leaders of Israel that where he is at right now as a leader will not grant him access to the kingdom of God. Remember Israel was waiting for its Messiah and being restored as a nation. Jesus has told him that in order for that to happen, changes must be made.

In order for one to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again. Being born again represents a fresh start. A fresh start in God’s eyes. A new beginning in obedience to God. A fresh start that affords not only seeing the kingdom of God, but entrance into that kingdom. John records this interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus so that his readers will know that there are changes that need to occur before one can enter into the kingdom of God.

Obviously Nicodemus’ heart was in the right place because he sought Jesus out. When he sought Jesus, Jesus responded. A leader had realized who his leader was and went to him for leadership. Jesus did not disappoint.

Have you given your life over to Jesus leadership? If not, you need to. Have you been born again? Have you been baptized into Christ and been given a fresh start? If you have been reborn lead others to Jesus so they too can have a fresh start, a new beginning.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman