Friday, February 12, 2021

Born Again

 

Born Again

The “Red Letter” Words of Jesus

Day Twenty-Four

 

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”   John 3:1-4 (NKJV)

There used to be a television show hosted by Robin Leach titled “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Only the privileged made it on the show…entertainment personalities, famous athletes, filthy-rich businessmen, best-selling authors…those on the A-list. The truth is Nicodemus could’ve been featured being a well-known spiritual leader, born of God through Abraham, a respected teacher, and insanely rich.

When Nicodemus went to Jesus to scope Him out, he at least knew Him as “a teacher come from God,” although he hoped for more. His unasked questions hung in the air. “Are you the Messiah? The One who will deliver us from the tyrannies of Rome dominance?” If Jesus was the Messiah, he probably assumed his privileges gave him access to the Messiah’s kingdom. After all, his name appeared on the religious A-list.

Skillfully, Jesus turned Nicodemus’ inquiry around and put the focus on him. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus understood what it meant to be born again. The Jews had a saying, “One that is made a proselyte is like a child new born.” In other words, a Gentile who converted to Judaism had to die to their old way of life and take on a new lifestyle. If they refused to do this, they couldn’t convert.

What Nicodemus didn’t understand is that Jesus saw his heart. Like all humans, it was sinfully wicked. Position, privilege, obedience to the law and stringent ceremonial cleanings didn’t qualify him for the kingdom of God. He thought he was secure; however, his inward nature, his spiritual nature, was dead. His spirit-man needed to be “like a child new born.”

Nicodemus had to grapple with the shocking reality he didn’t qualify for the Messiah’s kingdom. It’s the same for us. The only way to inherit His kingdom is through rebirth. To be born again means I must repent of my sins, die to my old lifestyle, ask Jesus for forgiveness of sins, commit my life to Him and invite the Holy Spirit to live within.

 

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/john/2.htm

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ttb/john/3

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/wes/john3


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