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.”
Lifted Up on a Pole
John 3:14-15 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
God punished Israel with poisonous snakes (Numbers 21:4-9), then instructed them to look at a bronze snake on a pole and they would live, provoked them to repentance and faith. Jesus was lifted up on a pole. If we will keep our eyes on Him we will also live.
How God Loved the World
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The words “so loved the world” mean “in this way” or “in this manner” God loved the world. We could also say that God loved the world in this manner. How did God love the world? By lifting up his son on the cross as Moses lifted up a serpent.
Saving the World
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
We either condemn or condone sins. Jesus neither condemned a woman caught in adultery, nor condoned her sin. He did not come at that time to condemn the world. At the judgment things will be different. We are not qualified to condemn or condone sinfulness, but are commanded to love.
Nicodemus was a visitor in the dark. He only had the lamp of the law, which lit the way for his feet to come to the brightest light of all, Christ, to learn about being reborn. The old birth was a temporary life ending in death. The new birth brings a total change in character, lifestyle, affections, and goals beginning an eternal life.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Readings
Genesis 12:1-4
According to traditional history, a large following rejected Nimrod and went with Abram to worship the one true God.
Psalm 121
A song of degrees sung while ascending the temple steps to celebrate a feast of the Lord, pictures looking up to heaven from where our help comes.
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Abraham who was before the law, revealed a righteousness not of the law, but a righteousness by faith, the righteousness that Christians also pursue.
John 3:1-17 in Rhyme
A Pharisee, Nicodemus
Saw Jesus at night to discuss
The signs prove you are not a fraud
But you’re a teacher come from God
Jesus replied, “truly I say
No one can God’s kingdom survey
Unless they are then born again.”
“Someone old reborn? Please explain!”
“Return into their mother’s womb?”
“Truly the kingdom has no room
Unless water- and Spirit-born
For flesh gives birth to flesh we learn
The Spirit gives birth to spirit
Don’t be surprised and don’t limit
My word, ‘You must be born again.’
Where the wind blows is not quite plain.
You hear its sound, but cannot tell
Where it arose or where it fell
So are those born of the Spirit.”
“How so?” Nicodemus queried
“You’re Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus
“And you don’t understand these things?
We speak of what we’ve known and seen
But still you don’t accept our creed
I spoke to you of earthly things
You don’t believe what my word brings
How can you possibly believe
Or of heavenly things conceive?
None has ascended to heaven
Except he who came from heaven
The Son of Man, who’ll be lifted
As Moses’ snake has depicted
So that everyone who believes
Eternal life in him receives
For God loved the world in this way
He gave his only Son to die
That whoever in him believes
Not death, but ceaseless life receives
Because God did not send his Son
To condemn the world, everyone
But the world might be saved through him
