Having established Nicodemus’ status in the large context of the narrative, as well as his plan on gathering information on/from Y’shua, we must bear Y’shua Jesus’s response in mind. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 3:3 AMP
[3] Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above-spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
The Rebirth Plan
In the records of Jesus’s encounters, there was hardly ever a question posed to Him that was left unanswered. That day was no exception. His response was both spiritual and intriguing.
Self-Check
When we speak with God in prayer, do we stop to hear God’s response, or is it a monologue?
Application
Nicodemus might have been a bit surprised at Jesus’s answer. He had lightly commented on Jesus’s origins and was receiving a lecture about rebirth! To an extent, it would have been very justifiable if Nicodemus was confused. The subjects were totally different, as Y’shua had gone left field, right? Wrong.
With Jesus being God in human form, they were most definitely engaged in a spiritual conversation. And for that level of spiritual discourse, Y’shua raised the bar. Nicodemus had to leave theologese and ‘literal interpretation’ behind and be open to God’s Spirit. It was a matter of relationship, not just logic.
When a child is born, s/he is both vulnerable and dependent on the parent. As believers, we are also dependent and vulnerable. We are dependent on God for guidance, direction and procuring our spiritual nourishment. And God ought to be central to our relationships.
For that level of dependence on God, we need to be born again. This involves being fed spiritual milk (the right interpretation of God’s Word for our time and beyond) and yieldedness to God. If we’re not yet having that mindset, we need spiritual transformation.
Point to Ponder
Have we experienced spiritual transformation in Christ or do we need to be born again?
May all we seek be found in Christ
