Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the spirit.’ John 3 v 5
Jesus is speaking to a man called Nicodemus, a pharisee and highly regarded teacher of the law. He was a man of influence in the community and held in high esteem, yet despite this high profile, when he was in the company of Jesus he was fascinated as this man carried a very different presence compared to the other teachers. The conversation continues, and Nicodemus seeks to find the answer to his burning question of how someone can be born again when they are old? In our humanness, when we think of birth we think of newness, life, vulnerability, total dependency and in today’s verse, we see Jesus’ response.It was said that in society the pharisees used their language to primarily ‘define and defend’ so the depth of Jesus’ response was unexpected to Nicodemus; it had provoked a reaction within him and we see that he is earnest to understand more.
Jesus could see how much Nicodemus wanted definition and an answer to his question so He responds in a way that will bring true clarity. Let’s always remember how interested Jesus is in our lives, He meets us where we are at and longs for relationship with us. Nicodemus’ position in society tells of how well educated and dedicated he would have been to the law yet when he listened to Jesus, he started to wrestle. He desperately wanted to know what it meant to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus had not meant that one had to be born of flesh again but that they had to be ‘born from above’ (anothen in Greek).
Jesus continues and talks of being ‘born of water and the spirit’, specifically referencing the scriptures found in the book of the prophet, Ezekiel. In chapter 36 v 26 - 27 he tells us of how God promised of a day to come in which He would give people a new heart whilst also putting His spirit within them, here on the earth. ‘A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you…’ v 26. The verses also describe that the new heart would be one of flesh and not of stone while the spirit within would cause the people to walk in His ways here on the earth. The replacement of the stony heart with one of flesh represents the transition from living under the law, (the 10 commandments were written on stone tablets), to embracing the new life that can be found in Jesus Christ. The Spirit now rests upon each believer and is a guide in our lives each day so we can walk in His way.
May we take time today to recognise that we are ‘born again’, let’s be thankful for the abundant life this brings to each of us!
May we confidently know we are righteous and loved and that His mercies are new every morning. May we also continue to embrace the transformation in our lives that comes from our relationship with Jesus – let us have the faith to face each situation while being expectant and excited that the Kingdom of God is within us!
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Who Do You Say I Am Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2020