Nicodemus

Why Should We Be “Born Again?”

Matthew 3:11, 13 15-17, John 3:1-18 NIV Study Bible

Matthew 3:11 (John the Baptist) I Baptist you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.

Matthew 3:13 – Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John (15) …Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all of righteousness.” Then John consented.

Matthew 3:16 – As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. (17) And a voice from heaven said, this is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.

John 3:1-8 – (1) Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Ruling Council. (2) He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. (3) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “ Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and 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 Spirit gives birth to Spirit. (7) You should not be surprised at my saying, “you must be born again”. 8. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or, where it is going, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Respectfully Submitted by

M. E. Stokes, D. S.W.

The detail that Nicodemus came “by might” to see Jesus shows that he and the other Jewish leaders associated with Jesus only in secret. Since Nicodemus’ questions were inquiry and not interrogation, it is evident that he understood there were elements of misunderstanding amoung the Jewish leaders regarding Jesus. Nicodemus was seeking information, but he was blind to the truth of God.

Are we Christians often blind to the truth of God? Do we really understand what God wants through us and from us, or are we as blind as Nicodemus? Nicodemus didn’t understand Jesus or His mission because he was looking for a Messiah of a political kingdom. He didn’t understand that Jesus had come to be the Messiah of a “New Birth” resulting from the impregnation of the heart by the Spirit of God. Like Nicodemus, many come to Jesus in the dark for the wrong reasons? Are we more concerned about the miracles He will do for us or are we concerned about true change of being Born Again? Worse, do we ever grow enough in our Christian walk to know the difference?

In John 3:1-32, Nicodemus got it wrong, but did he later get it right? Maybe the answer is found in John 19:38-42. Most importantly, where do you stand and are you willing to grow?