Gospel

A Rebirth

by Roland Crim
10/04/16
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“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “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!” (John 3:1-4 NIV)

The first twenty one verses of the third chapter of John speak of the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus. These verses are familiar to most Christians, and to some unbelievers.

Notice first that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Did he do this because he did not want others to know that he came to see Jesus, particularly the Pharisees, of which he was a member? Or did he come to see Jesus at night because he wanted to have a better chance of having an audience with Jesus? We do not know why, but the fact that it is mentioned makes me wonder if there is some significance to this point.

Secondly, Nicodemus wanted Jesus to know that he, Nicodemus, realized that Jesus had a close relationship with God the Father, based upon the works that Jesus performed.

Thirdly, notice that Jesus cut right through the formalities and got straight to the message that Nicodemus needed to hear. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was inquisitive as to who Jesus was, and His mission. Jesus also knew that Nicodemus’ heart, mind, and soul were not closed like his fellow Pharisees. So Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know the truth promptly. He let Nicodemus know that to see the kingdom of God, an individual needed a rebirth of the spirit, a new life centered on giving and self-sacrifice rather than self-seeking and earthly desires, a life with Jesus Christ at its center. Nicodemus was thrown off guard by Jesus’ words, thus leading to his response to Jesus. He might instead have asked: “I don’t understand what you are trying to explain to me. Can you please elaborate on this matter?”

We who are believers understand in varying amounts what it means to be born again. Through our rebirth our lives are changed and we begin a new and wonderful life, belonging to the Father and the Son, and redeemed by the blood our Lord shed for us on the cross. We are then called to a life of service to our Lord. The Lord wants us to spread the Good News about Him and the Heavenly Father to those we meet. Our actions must glorify the Father and the Son.