1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.2He 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.”
3Jesus 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!”
Thoughts: Nicodemus was a religious leader who was open to religious truth. No doubt Nicodemus had much training and was much connected among the religious elite as a member of the Sanhedrin. As such, Nicodemus had every reason to keep the status quo. Perhaps Nicodemus thought that we may grow in our faith as we grow in our knowledge and keeping of the Law. But Jesus had a different idea- a transformation that is as radical as going from the warm safe womb to the cold unfamiliar air.
Nicodemus began his conversation at night. Perhaps he was nervous about coming to Christ when people would see him. Later Nicodemus would boldly claim the dead body of Christ, though it meant some political pain. Nicodemus began the conversation with a compliment and an openness to listening.
But Jesus abruptly changed the tone. He was not about to play games here. It was important for Jesus that Nicodemus know that belief in Him was not full of compliments, but it meant a change- a transformation, being born-again. True belief in Christ affects all that we are- belief, behavior, speech, and even thought. It is like becoming a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
Nicodemus, like most legalistic minds, took this saying too literally to understand its truth. Jesus was not talking about physical birth- but spiritual birth.
Nicodemus began his conversation at night. Perhaps he was nervous about coming to Christ when people would see him. Later Nicodemus would boldly claim the dead body of Christ, though it meant some political pain. Nicodemus began the conversation with a compliment and an openness to listening.
But Jesus abruptly changed the tone. He was not about to play games here. It was important for Jesus that Nicodemus know that belief in Him was not full of compliments, but it meant a change- a transformation, being born-again. True belief in Christ affects all that we are- belief, behavior, speech, and even thought. It is like becoming a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
Nicodemus, like most legalistic minds, took this saying too literally to understand its truth. Jesus was not talking about physical birth- but spiritual birth.
Prayer: Lord, change me. Make me new. Let me believe that you are able to change me for better.
No comments:
Post a Comment