October 15th, 2017

John 3:4-6 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
 
A more literal translation of “born again” is “born from above”. A learned student of God’s law as Nicodemus should have understood “born again” as God’s restoring work, not as a physical rebirth. Nicodemus’ misunderstanding leads Jesus to open the Scriptures to his new student. The Lord wants to transform Nicodemus’ head knowledge to his heart.
   Thus, Jesus begins with his powerful, attention-getting words, “I tell you the truth.” He is not a prophet saying, “The Lord says.” He is the Lord, saying, “I say.” A true disciple must be ready to hear the truth from Jesus, the Truth.
   Jesus then begins to teach of a true, full image of new life into the kingdom of God. To be born of water and the Spirit refers to a single spiritual rebirth. One view of this is that Jesus is reminding Nicodemus of the Old Testament images of water and the Spirit in unison bringing new life into the land. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Jesus is not yet teaching new testament baptism to this Pharisee. He is first reminding Nicodemus of Scripture’s lessons of water and Spirit related to creation and re-creation in God’s sovereign authority.
   To be “born again” is to receive a pouring out from heaven to re-birth your soul into God’s kingdom.
 
Prayer: Holy Father in heaven, you have poured out your Spirit upon us that we would be saved into your kingdom. Your love, indeed, endures forever. Amen.