JOHN 3: 1-7
THE NEW BIRTH
Not only was Benjamin Franklin a great statesman and inventor, but he was also a great correspondent and received letters from famous people from all over the world. One day he received what could well have been the most important letter ever to come to his desk. It was from the well-known British preacher George Whitefield.
"I find that you grow more and more famous in the learned world," Whitefield wrote. "As you have made such progress in investigating the mysteries of electricity, I now humbly urge you to give diligent heed to the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important and interesting study and, when mastered, will richly repay you for your pains."
The subject before us today is one of absolute and vital importance. It is the hinge of the whole gospel message. It is the point in which all true Christians agree. It is the mandatory occurrence in each man’s salvation. It is the beginning point for our hope for heaven. It is the basic work of faith. Thus we ought to be very diligent to ascertain that we are truly born again. For there are many who imagine themselves saved who are not. Thus we frequently need to examine ourselves and it is the minister’s duty to assist us in our self-examination.
In Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus we find the means of attaining eternal life and the importance of personal faith and decision. Nicodemus wanted to learn more about Jesus, but he ended up learning more about himself! Those who come to learn more about Jesus will learn more about themselves also. Let us open our ears and our heart and learn from Jesus as Nicodemus did. For you too must be born again.
I. NICODEMUS’ RESPONSE, 1-2.
II. JESUS’ REPLY, 3.
III. GOD’S RE-BIRTH, 4-7.
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;"
Nicodemus (Greek name meaning victor over the people) is introduced as a prominent man of the upper class, and definitely interested in Jesus’ teachings. As a Pharisee he belonged to the strict religious sect of Judaism in contrast to the Sadducees, who were less rigid in their beliefs and were more politically motivated. He occupied a very prominent position being a ruler of the Jews or a member of the Sanhedrin. We also know he was a rabbi (3:1, 10), a teacher no doubt of some fame. In 3:10 Jesus refers to him as (lit.) "the teacher [not a teacher] of Israel." This at least must refer to his distinguished reputation in Jerusalem. [He was also a scribe (1:10; 7:50) meaning a professional student, interpreter, and teacher of the law.]
His interest in Jesus had been prompted by the person and miracles he had witnessed, many of these occurring during the Passover week. He came to converse with Jesus in order to obtain more information. His approach shows that he was cautious, open minded, and ready to receive a new revelation from God, if he was sure of its genuineness.
Verse 2 reveals Nicodemus’ motive for coming to Jesus."This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
This rabbi comes to Jesus at night, either because of a desire for privacy stemming from fear. He might worry that the temple authorities, whom Jesus has just challenged, might see him as a collaborator.
But the time of meeting could also indicate that Nicodemus came from the darkness of intellectual and ritualistic religion into the light of Jesus’ presence, into the light of truth. [ "Night" is also likely a theological symbol (used frequently by John) that expresses Nicodemus’s spiritual relation to the truth. John often refers to darkness as the realm of evil, untruth, and unbelief (e.g., 9:4; 11:10). The only other actor who appears at night is Judas Iscariot, who departs into the night to betray Jesus (13:30). Nicodemus is a man of the darkness while Jesus is the light (1:4, 8). John’s subsequent commentary (3:19ff.) says this plainly: Jesus is light that has come into the world, but men and women prefer darkness. In this case, however, Nicodemus has made a serious choice: He has stepped into the light to make inquiries. NIV Life Application Commentary, John ]
Nicodemus’s first question shows admirable respect. He called Jesus Rabbi, or esteemed teacher (despite Jesus’ lack of credentials, 7:15), and says we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. The plural pronoun we means Nicodemus and other like minded persons (2:23; 3:11 - Is he an emissary assigned to return with a report?). The reason for their conviction of Jesus’ authenticity is that no one could perform the miraculous signs You are doing if God were not with him. His efforts must have some divine endorsement. They were convinced that Jesus must stand in very close relationship with God to be able to do these signs.
II. Jesus’ Reply, 3.
Nicodemus came to learn but he got a lot more than he expected. Jesus challenged him to begin a new life (as we see in verse 3)!
"Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Jesus’ response is unexpected. Instead of joining Nicodemus by engaging his question, he forces the rabbi to move to another level of inquiry. Jesus declines to carry on with courteous exchanges that get nowhere. He abruptly plunges into the very heart of the need (2:24-25). [Jesus is not interested in the divine authentication of signs but in the reality of someone’s relationship with God. Nicodemus has to keep up; he has to choose to follow Jesus’ lead or retreat back into the dark.]
Now Nicodemus has not yet asked this question. Nevertheless Jesus answers him for Jesus clearly sees the man’s searching for the way to life with God. A life he dimly realizes that Jesus has. Jesus emphasizes the importance of His words by introducing them with the solemn, verily, verily or truly, truly. Then in one sentence He sweeps away all that Nicodemus stood for (education, intellectual understanding, traditions, and religious ceremonies) and demands that Nicodemus be remade by the power of God.
The starting fact Jesus commands is you must be born anew! Jesus says that there is a new prerequisite to see or enter the kingdom of God. Anew can be translated "from above" ( - anothen). Man must be born ( ) in a radically new fashion, and this second birth is mandatory.
Birth is our mode of entrance into the world and it brings with it the equipment necessary for our adjustment to the world. To be born again or be born from above means a transformation of a person so radical that he is able to enter another world and adapt to its conditions. The world that this new birth equips one to live in is the kingdom of God or the rule and reign of God. To belong to the kingdom of Heaven you must be born again. There is no other way or entrance.
If an individual is not born again he would not fit into, be able to adapt and enjoy, the kingdom of heaven. He would be out of place. A man who is not born again could not enjoy heaven. Unless one has experienced the second birth he could not enjoy the things of heaven. There would be nothing there for him to enjoy. If he could be put in heaven he would be miserable. He would cry get me out of that miserable place. He would find the praises of God dull, the going to God’s house tedious, the listening to God’s messages long and boring. He would find service to Him dry work. He would find the company of the righteous irksome.
No, give him a bottle of beer or wine and some companions to boast and criticize with, and there in the darkness he would settle down and feel at home. Natural man is equipped only for the kingdom of earth, not for the kingdom of heaven.
The only heaven there is, is a heaven of spiritual men, a heaven of praise, a heaven of delight in God, a heaven of communion with Christ, a heaven of fellowship with the redeemed. If you have not been born again and received a divine nature, you could never enjoy heaven.
Could I ask you something? If you find sermons long and boring, if singing praises to God is dull, if going to God’s house is tedious and serving Him is dry work - do you really think you have been born again? Do you really think you have been given the equipment necessary and are presently being prepared to enjoy God and His heaven forever? Do you have the God given capabilities for doing so? Unless one is born from above he cannot see God’s kingdom. He cannot experience and partake of it. He cannot possess nor enjoy it (Luke 2:26, 9:27; Jn. 8:51; Acts 2:27; Rev. 18-7).
III. GOD’S RE-BIRTH, 4-7.
We see Nicodemus’ intellectual puzzlement in verse 4. "Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?"
Nicodemus takes Jesus’ words concerning re-birth to mean physical birth. He realizes Jesus is talking about a new beginning but cannot see how this is physically possible. Yes, physical rebirth is impossible, but is spiritual birth any more feasible than natural?
What do you think? Can human nature really be changed? Can we really start over? Can one be born of God’s Spirit into a new reality? Into a new life?
God’s response is found in verse 5. "Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God"
In response to the question as to how to effect the re-birth Jesus again prefaces His remarks with the solemn and emphatic verily, verily, or truthfully, truthfully. This calls for Nicodemus’ undivided attention to the important words which follow.
["Various interpretations have been suggested for the water. Does it refer to natural birth, which is accompanied by watery fluid? Or is it a symbol of the Spirit (John 7:37-39) so that "water" and "Spirit" are merely two words referring to the same thing? Or is it a symbol of baptism? The best answer seems to be that if Jesus was attempting to clarify His teaching for Nicodemus, He would answer in familiar terms; and the author would want his readers to understand his phraseology.] Since Jesus’ ministry came shortly after that of John the Baptist, Jesus may have been referring to John’s preaching, which dealt with the baptism of water, signifying repentance, and with the coming messenger of God who would endow men with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-33)." (Expositor’s Bible, p 47). The new birth is conditioned on repentance, or the turning and cleansing from the way of the world, and confession of the individual that Jesus is Lord. It is the response to the inner appeal of God that brings the transformation of life by the gift of the Holy Spirit. People do not enter the kingdom of God by living a better life but by being reborn by God’s Spirit.
The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God. God has sealed the gate of the kingdom of God against all who have not been born again. Unless a person is born of the water and of the Spirit there is no entrance into the kingdom of God.
(6) "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Jesus declared that the entrance into God’s kingdom which Nicodemus desires could not be achieved by any human or earthy means. Any birth or work of the flesh produces only flesh. A stream does not rises higher than its source. What is of earthy origin cannot give rise to anything other than what is earthly. Only that which is heavenly, eternal - that which is of God’s Spirit can give birth into a spiritual kingdom. Only God’s Spirit produces spiritual birth, a new nature and spiritual life. (Spiritual birth is not something you achieve it is something you receive).
By natural birth people become a member of an earthly family. To become members of God’s family, to receive the spiritual nature which alone can gain entrance to God’s kingdom, a spiritual birth from above is necessary. Listen friend, Have you had such a birth?
FYI. God is three persons in one. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God became a man in Jesus so that He could die for us and pay for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to offer eternal salvation to all people through spiritual rebirth and renewal. When Jesus ascended into heaven He sent the Holy Spirit so that His spiritual presence would be among mankind (Lk. 24:49) and in those born again (Rom. 8:9).
Nicodemus must have had a bewildered look on his face for Jesus says to him in verse 7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, "You must be born again."
Jesus urges him not to be astonished at the teaching of the new birth. It may be marvelous, mysterious, even difficult to understand, but it is nonetheless true. Even a man as religious, moral, and learned as Nicodemus must be born again.
The word must is a strong word. In the Greek it is an absolute imperative. (3:14, 12:34, 20:9). It was used by a commanding officer in battle telling the troops that they must take that hill or they are doomed, all is lost. There is no other way to heaven but by that of rebirth. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
The personal pronoun you is in the plural. The principle of the new birth as the only way to heaven applies to ALL people. You must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven.
CONCLUSION
After that evening’s encounter with Jesus, Nicodemus was a changed man. He left the presence of Jesus never to be the same again. He went away with a new nature and a new understanding of God and himself. You could be so changed right now today also.
Nicodemus was a highly moral religious leader in Israel, yet this did not qualify him for heaven. Since the first man Adam’s fall from his original state of holiness, everyone has been born in a state of spiritual deadness. No matter how we may try to please God by good social behavior, educational refinement, pious religious acts or rituals, we cannot eradicate our basic self-centeredness. God Himself must implant within us a totally new nature by His Spirit. Just as we have had a physical birth to be alive physically, so also we must have a spiritual birth to be alive spiritually.
Are you presently being fit or prepared for the kingdom of God? Is worship and glorifying Jesus pleasant and inviting to you? Do you love the Word of God? Do you enjoy it being taught and preached? Are you attempting to submit to God and obey Him? Is fellowship with other believers around the Word and praise of Jesus satisfying to you? If you cannot respond with a hearty yes, God is not able to prepare you to live with Him most probably because you have never been born again.
You can not reform yourself by your earthly exertions and power. The new birth is given only by the direct action of God. Will you lay aside all your heredity, all your good works, all your religious and moral acts, all your intellectualizing, and will you come to Jesus and ask Him to come into your life? Will you allow God’s Spirit to implant in your heart the life of Christ? This is the initial act that changes a person into a child of God. There is no other way to become fit for heaven. There is no other way to begin to love the will and way of God.
You come right now as the HS leads while we stand and extend God’s invitation to come to Jesus during this song. You come, just as you are, you come.
