(Lesson 4475)(05-04-24) John 3:1-8
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
In today’s quote, Nicodemus, confused when Jesus said ‘you must be born again’, asked Jesus how a person can be born again physically. Jesus clarified that the rebirth of which He spoke is a rebirth of the spirit, not a natural, “born of water”, rebirth. He emphasized that without experiencing two births, first born physically, and then born of the Spirit, one cannot enter the kingdom of God. Jesus then contrasted earthly and heavenly things, comparing the mysterious nature of the Spirit's work, to the unpredictable wind. In this context, emphasizing the interpretation that "born of water" signifies natural birth helps focus the narrative on spiritual transformation rather than ritual action. It brings out the essential and profound teaching of Jesus about the necessity of a spiritual transformation—being born anew through the Spirit—which is essential for entering the kingdom of God, distinct from merely participating in religious rites or ceremonies. This interpretation underscores the transformative power of the Spirit and the distinct roles of our natural existence and our spiritual rebirth in the Christian life.~
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