A Visitor In The Dark

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17.

Nicodemus

John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. He appears three times in the Gospel of John (John 3:1–2; John 7:50-51; John 19:38-39). Jesus explained to this wealthy and popular Jewish leader the mystery of regeneration as was taught in the prophets.

Nicodemus was not offended at Jesus’ teaching but received it in all humility. He later defended Jesus against the Pharisees, assisted at his burial. History reveals that he was eventually kicked out of the synagogue for believing in Christ, and then later retired to a country home where he died.

A Lampholder comes to the Light

John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

In the dark of night Nicodemus came to the Light. Others also wanted to understand. He said, “we know.” God’s word is a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105). It leads us in a dark world to the Word made flesh, Jesus the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2).

Born from Above

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Born “again” also means born “from above,” from heaven, regeneration. According to the Opportunity Index, those born poor are less likely to have earthly opportunities. Everyone has better opportunities in God than anything on earth. To be born from heaven above is to belong to heaven, a child of God.

Literal or Spiritual

John 3:4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Nicodemus heard “born again” instead of “born from above,” a literal understanding not a spiritual meaning. Early Christians focused on literal circumcision, not circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29). Even in old age like Nicodemus, life in Christ is new. We have every reason to live with youthful joy.

Born of Water and the Spirit

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

We enter the kingdom of heaven. Baptism in water is only complete with the transforming power of the Spirit. Christian baptism is both the water and the Spirit. The waters of baptism can picture our physical birth waters and also our birth from above with the baptism of the Spirit.

Spiritual Life

John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Each of us who is born flesh will die. So will each of us who is born of water and the Spirit live forever. The Christian life is a spiritual life, is permanent and cannot pass away. Only by being born from above can we enter the hope of eternity.

Born of the Spirit

John 3:7-8 “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The means of entering the kingdom of heaven is being born from above. The new Spirit-born life is as mysterious as the wind. We cannot tell where the wind came from or where it is going. Christianity is a life of faith trusting God where His Spirit is blowing us.

Heavenly Things

John 3:9-12 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

The discussion changed to, “we tell you.” Who is the we? Does this include the prophets, heaven or the disciples? All Christians can only testify to what they have known and seen, and no surprise, some will not believe.

Who is in Heaven

John 3:13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man, [who is in heaven].”

The tense is not of Jesus ascension into heaven after the resurrection, but present and completed, “I have ascended.” Omitted is, “who is in heaven.” Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth. Jesus reveals heavenly secrets to Nicodemus because he “has come down from heaven” and “is in heaven.”