June 10
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BORN AGAIN
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
– John 3:1-8
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In this account of John, we meet Nicodemus who is a ruler of the Jews. It is a fact that the Jews didn’t like to bend rules. They are so legalistic and a stickler to their laws. Interestingly, we hear from this story how Nicodemus pays a visit to Jesus at night. Could it be that he wanted to ensure that no colleagues or any Jews for that matter, sees him going to see Jesus. Most of the religious leaders were beginning to be stirred by Jesus’ teachings, miracles and claims that he is God’s son. Nicodemus even addresses Jesus as “Rabbi” meaning Teacher.
Jesus explain to Nicodemus the importance of being born of water and the Spirit and that it is a requirement to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus explains the difference of natural and spiritual birth to someone who is supposedly a Jewish ruler. The Spirit is not visible, according to Jesus, but His presence can be experienced by the believer.
Isn’t it interesting to see the contrast of what we can do in the natural against what we can do in the Spirit’s work? Only the Spirit of God can make one understand spiritual things. It is not on our own understanding that we are able to gain understanding on spiritual matters. It shows how a learned Jewish leader can miss out a spiritual truth because he isn’t born again yet.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the concept of being born again missed by some Christians?
• When does one become born again?