He came at night

Nicodemus was a deeply religious man. He came to Jesus at night. He probably didn’t want his friends to see that he was talking to Jesus. He admitted that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. He also agreed that He had done some amazing miracles. But he was puzzled and troubled by his talk with Jesus. Jesus said to him,

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)

This phrase, “born again” has been used to describe all kinds of things in recent years. I saw an advertisement for “born again” carpets! In North America it has been used to describe “born again Christians”. But for Nicodemus, an old man, it was a shocking and hard to understand idea.

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4)

Jesus explains the idea in terms of entering into a whole new dimension of life. This dimension is “the kingdom of God”. It is not a country or patch of land. It is surrendering to and trusting in the leadership of the Creator of the universe. It is coming under his rule and receiving his guidance.

But it is not simply about deciding to be different, or making better choices to please God. It involves starting life over like a newborn child. We are born into a new family. God’s Spirit comes to live in us and gives us the desire and ability to be like Jesus. Jesus likens the Spirit to a wind which blows wherever it pleases. We don’t control God. He is full of surprises, faithful but unpredictable.

How is this possible? Jesus goes on to say that he is the One who has come down from heaven and who has been to heaven. As we look to him and trust in what he has done, our sins are forgiven and we can experience “eternal life”. This life starts now, not at death. It is available to us because God gave his one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. (See John 3:1-18 for the full story)

What do you believe about Jesus? Have you been born again?
Are you living in the new dimension of life Jesus spoke about?
Do you know the strength God’s Spirit can give?