Born From Above – John’s Gospel chapter 2 verse 23 to chapter 3 verse 15
Pharisees as a group were critical of Jesus, became his enemies and later wanted to kill him. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, was more sympathetic, and comes to find out more.
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.’
John 3:1-2
A brief but profound conversation.
We need to ponder the phrases, to discern their meaning.
1. I tell you the truth
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you…’
John 3:3
Now all he said was truth, but he uses this phrase to emphasise “listen up”.
2. The kingdom of God
…no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
John 3:3
This phrase is used many times in the Gospels. By Jesus’ own words, this is why he was sent, to proclaim that God’s kingdom as coming, and even now was with them. Every nation is represented in this kingdom. Nor is it confined to our time and space (as when he answered Pilate, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’).
3. Born again, born of the Spirit
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.’
John 3:5-8
The only way of entry to the Kingdom of God. What did Jesus say?
- 1. It is not same as our physical birth.
- 2. It also means “born from above”. We are indifferent to God’s Kingdom otherwise.
- 3. It is to see that Jesus is the only King.
- 4. It is to be born of water and spirit. God earlier promised “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean …I will put a new spirit in you”
- 5. It is not a natural birth.
- 6. It is like the wind, invisible, and yet it’s effects can be seen.
- 7. It is a supernatural change done be God’s Spirit.
What are sermons for?
To attend to, to learn from, to remember that it is God Who makes the changes.
How do we respond?
Are you in the Kingdom of God, by faith in Jesus? Then give thanks, rejoice!
Not yet in the Kingdom of God? Then read the Gospels for yourself, pray for light, and talk to others who have entered in.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.