Born of the Spirit
The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus
Day
Twenty-Seven
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:5-7 (NKJV)
When Jesus told Nicodemus he had to be born again, it shocked him. Hence, the “Do not marvel” part. Nicodemus thought his religious pedigree and good works were sufficient to earn him entrance into God’s kingdom. They weren’t because his spirit man was dead and needed to be revitalized.
Newborns of my generation have something in common which isn’t practiced today. We got our butts spanked. If a baby didn’t immediately cry, the doctor would hold the baby upside down and give him or her a smack on the butt. The doctor believed the shock of the smack helped jump-start the baby’s breathing. Must have worked. I’m here.
When God created man, He did something unique that He didn’t do for other creative beings. Adam’s first breath came from God. Of course, Adam was a grown man so holding him upside down and giving him a good smack on the butt wouldn’t have been dignified. However, God did literally breathe life into Adam.
God then created another human being to be a helpmate to Adam. The Bible doesn’t say if God breathed life into Eve but, obviously, something happened. Perhaps a first kiss from her husband?
Adam and Eve had perfect communion with God until the dreadful day they disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden fruit. Sin came into the world like a fatal sucker punch to the gut. Man’s spirit died that day. Direct communion with God was severed and needed to be restored. Spiritual rebirth became necessary.
Thankfully, Nicodemus came to understand his need to be born again. Jesus so impacted his life that, after His death and prior to His resurrection, Nicodemus risked his reputation and life by helping Joseph of Arimathea procure Jesus’ body for burial in the tomb. (John 19:38-42)
Jesus’ declaration to Nicodemus still holds true today. You must be born again. Just like God breathed life into Adam, the Holy Spirit can breathe life into your spirit. This comes about through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and commit your life to Him. Your spirit being will leap to life within you as you take your first spiritual breath.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm
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