I Must WHAT???
John 3:1-16
This is part one of a series on the subject of being Born Again.
John Chapter 3 introduces a man named Nicodemus and highlights an interview between Jesus and Nicodemus. This is much like a private Bible study where one is actually freed to ask any question of the “teacher” without hesitation or embarrassment. I enjoy teaching like that because people are freer in their questions and the responses are actually clearer.
Who is Nicodemus? From the text, we gather that he is an elite teacher, we also learn in the Gospels he is in the Council. The Bible dictionaries describe him as a Pharisee who is a member of the Sanhedrin. He is a learned, educated man especially in matters of doctrine and the Law. Nicodemus sits daily with other Pharisees debating and discussing matters of Law and God. They sit pondering and resolving dilemmas such as “how much is too much?” How far can we go before our actions are breaking one of the commandments? Legalistic issues to keep us as close to the edge without falling off. Now he wants to know how this “prophet” from Nazareth fits with their scheme of things.
He comes at night. Why, well that has been the subject of debate for Centuries. I must admit it is one I was caught up on for years. Was it so he would not be seen with Jesus? Was it so he could have a private audience? We really do not know, personally I lean toward the latter. What it really comes down to is it does not matter why.
He comes in and sees Jesus with his disciples, common people, fishermen, tax collectors, carpenters. Mostly people that highbrow people like Nicodemus look down on. Upon seeing Jesus, he starts with a beautiful flattering greeting. "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
This is to show Jesus that Nicodemus has done his homework on him. Where he heard Jesus, we do not know, did he actually see a miracle of Jesus before this meeting, we don’t know, could it be that he had just heard of the things Jesus said and done, possibly, but we don’t really know. This greeting is smooth flattery, and possibly Nicodemus was hoping for a similar greeting from Jesus.
Oh, yes Nicodemus, I must say you are a learned man; you know the Law and are a good Pharisee.
I am not sure I would be comfortable with anyone saying that about me.
Yet no hospitable chitchat, no accolades, no mention of his good conduct, or his academic standing, Jesus cuts right to the heart of the matter. He answers the question that is not asked. Could Nicodemus been thinking it, possibly, Jesus has been known to read minds.
"I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Simply put Jesus is saying that our best efforts will not do, our good works do not matter, good intentions do not count for anything, and unless we are born again we cannot see what God is up to. People like Nicodemus would live by the motto “Give God your best and He does the rest.” Jesus says “No way Jose’” Your best will not do.
The term “Born Again” has been misused and misunderstood. The phrase is in the Greek, gennethenai anothen, which translated literally means to be born from above.
This expression “Born Again”, point to the saving activity of God imparting spiritual life to his people and in restoring all of creation to its original perfect state.
To understand this we must come to grips with our condition before. Before Christ we were dead in our sins. Before Christ we were enemies of God. Before Christ we were lost. Now this great chasm exists between God and man. This is the Continental divide of scripture. Nicodemus, like us, stands on one side and Jesus on the other.
Jesus tells us simply, if we want to be with God, if we want to crossover and know that we can spend eternity with God in heaven, we must be Born Again.
Nicodemus then asks the question that we should ask. How can we be born again? How can we have this do-over? Nicodemus is looking at the physical; can a man enter into his mother’s womb again? Those who believe in reincarnation look at it that way. It is a teaching of Hindu, keep getting born again until we get it right. Problem is, we can physically be born again a thousand times and still not get it right. Jesus tells us, with God we can get it right, we can have the renewal we desire, we have to do it his way.
This is where many differ. Many believe we must be born again, many believe we have to have this renewal, just that many believe and teach different ways to get it. Jesus said
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
There are three major views on this subject. First is that the water is representative of the
Physiological interpretation of water, it is referenced either as the waters of birth associated with the rupture of the fetal water sac, or to the rabbinic use of water referring to the male seed. Both have been used in turn to physical and spiritual birth however the use of the word water for the birth sac is a different word than what is used here.
The second view is that this is figurative expressions of OT passages in reference to cleansing and purifying, this is something that Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel would have recognized. The giving of the Holy Spirit is a life giving, life-changing event. God gives New Life through this new birth. Yet it begs the question as to when and how God gives the Holy Spirit to the new convert?
The third position agrees with the second position and answers that question. The third position is that the water is referring to Baptism. We assume that Nicodemus would have understood the need for repentance as a prerequisite to the Spirit’s work. In the early church it was understood that baptism was a prerequisite and the occasion in which the Holy Spirit was given to the new convert. This is supported by other scriptures. Reference Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:20.
Simple fact is that we cannot enter into the Kingdom, we cannot see or understand what God is doing, we are not Born Again until we have repented, believe, confess, baptized into Christ, and given the Holy Spirit as evidenced in the changed life we are now to walk in.
Born Again. God exerts the effort and God restores the beauty in this act. The original creator recreates his creation.
With the word ANOTHEN the original source of life repeats His original work in the flawed. It is from above, that is the source of this new life. Anything else is just a cheap imitation.
Read the 26 word declaration of hope. John 3:16
He loves, He Gave, we believe, we live.
John Newton, the writer of “Amazing Grace” said, “If we read God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that when John Newton believed he should have eternal life. Whosoever means all the John Newton’s of the world, whatever their name should be.
Whoever is a universal word.
Perish is a sobering word
Martin Luther called this verse the best medicine.
Let us come and renew ourselves in the waters of Baptism, be cleansed from our sins, receive the Holy Spirit
