John 3:1-13
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
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Poor Nicodemus! He doesn’t want to be seen with Jesus, coming after dark, wanting to affirm that surely God was with Jesus, and that he was a great teacher. He had just witnessed the cleansing of the Temple, and many other miracles he performed in Jerusalem during Passover (John 2). But Jesus flipped the script in a heartbeat – “This isn’t about me, it’s about you; Nic, you must be born again!”
“Do you want to see the Kingdom of God; do you want to enter the Kingdom of God? You must be born again…born of water, and the Spirit.” Nicodemus can’t fathom how one can be born again! John writes, “…to all who believed him, and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn!” (1:12-13). New life, from heaven! We now see, and enter, the Kingdom of God!
We live in a world that is very troubling and that can be overwhelming. Jesus says that in this world you will have troubles, trials, tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world! Born again, we have entered His kingdom here on earth. We are blessed with the presence of His Holy Spirit, that fills us with joy, comfort, and power. We pray, often, …Thy Kingdom come (it has!), Thy will be done (we’re doing it!), on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Prayer: Lord, remind us, as believers, born again, baptized with your Spirit, we live and serve in in your kingdom. May we not be led astray with all that may tempt us, discourage us, or even defeat us as we live day by day in a kingdom of this world. Fill us with your joy and love. Amen.
—Ric Soderstrom