John 3:1-15
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the 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.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?
11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
That night, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a respected Jewish leader, secretly came to Jesus. He acknowledged that Jesus must be from God, seeing the miracles He performed as proof. Yet, he still had questions and sought answers. He said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.” His words reflected both curiosity and reverence.
But Jesus’ response shocked him: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” The concept of being “born again” baffled Nicodemus. He could not comprehend how someone could be born a second time, especially when they were already old.
Jesus then explained, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” Jesus wasn’t talking about physical birth but about spiritual rebirth, a transformation that could only come through the Holy Spirit. It’s a process that goes beyond human understanding but has profound spiritual implications.
To help Nicodemus understand, Jesus used the metaphor of the wind: “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.” Like the wind, the work of the Holy Spirit is invisible, yet it is undeniably real. We can’t see the wind itself, but we feel its effects, and in the same way, we experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Nicodemus remained confused and asked, “How can this be?” Jesus, with compassion and patience, responded, “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things?” His words were a gentle reminder that spiritual understanding requires more than knowledge—it demands a personal experience with God’s presence and the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Jesus pointed to the ultimate act of salvation: His own death and resurrection. He explained that just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness to heal the people, so He, too, would be lifted up on the cross to offer eternal life to all who believe in Him.
This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is not just a lesson for him, but a calling for each of us. We may not fully understand the workings of the Holy Spirit, but we can feel its impact on our lives. Being born again is not just an abstract concept—it’s a real, life-changing experience that brings us into the fullness of life with Christ. Through faith, we can embrace the new life He offers, experiencing transformation and eternal hope.
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