The greatest conversation Pt. 2

“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,

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.”
(John 3:1-11)
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John 3:1 describes Nicodemus as a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. We also know that he was a member of the Sanhedrin and a teacher of the Jewish law. Verse 2a tells us that he visited Jesus by night and engaged Him in a conversation. Clearly, Nicodemus started the conversation with commendation of Jesus. He addressed Jesus as Rabbi, or Master in the following words: “We know that…”:

a. Thou art a teacher from God;
b. No man can do these miracles, except God be with him
c. God is with you.

We will look at Jesus’ response to his commendation, and how the conversation progressed.

1. JESUS’ RESPONSE – John 3:3

“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.” It is very clear from this response that Jesus ignored Nicodemus’ commendation, and sought to correct him of his perception of Him, and to point him to his personal spiritual need, which he was ignorant of. Nicodemus only saw Jesus as a teacher and a miracle worker from God. He could not identify Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. Jesus tells him of his need for salvation and tutored him on how he could be saved. The message is clear: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. For anyone to perceive the kingdom of God, he must be born from above into the family of God. This message is as relevant to us today as it was to Nicodemus then. Have you been born again by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savour?

2. THE REACTION OF NICODEMUS – John 3:4

“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?”

Nicodemus’ reaction gives a picture of a confused person lost in a conversation he himself started. He raises two questions to seek clarification:
a. How can a man be born when he is old?
b. Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Notice that Nicodemus did not understand the concept of the new birth. Again, Jesus did not say he must be “born” but rather that he must be “born again”. Once he dropped the word “again” he totally missed the message Christ conveyed to him. Whereas Jesus was talking about a spiritual, heavenly birth, Nicodemus was talking about physical, earthly birth. Nicodemus wondered how he could enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born.

Many today have not understood the way that leads to God, and therefore have substituted many ways and means to get to Him, not realising there is only one way to God, and that way is by the new birth through Jesus Christ. (John 3:6; John 14:6).

3. JESUS TEACHES THE TEACHER OF THE JEWS -John 3:5-6

“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.”

Jesus patiently explains the “born again” concept by using the analogy of water and the Spirit. The LORD is as emphatic as He was in verse three, saying: “Truly, truly, I say unto you except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

It is clear from the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus that without the new birth, no man can see or enter into the Kingdom of God. I believe that just as Nicodemus, a Pharisee who rigorously practiced his religion, a member of the Sanhedrin and a teacher of Israel was confused about and ignorant of the new birth, there are others who find themselves in the same situation. We will continue this (study) conversation, until we gain the right and better understanding the “born again” in our salvation. Notwithstanding what I just said, may I ask you – Are you born again? Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
Lord thank you for my salvation through Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Thank you for giving me the understanding of what it means to be born again. There are those who are confused and do not understand what it means to be born again. Lord, help me to reach such people that they too will understand and be saved. Amen.