Second Birth
Notes
Transcript
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and 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.
“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Preliminary explanation
Preliminary explanation
A man we know as Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night.
According to the book of John, Nicodemus was a Pharisee.
Teacher during those times, kind of like a church pastor.
Nicodemus addresses Jesus as a “Rabbi.” This is showing great respect to Jesus, but still not the level of respect and honor that is due.
Though Nicodemus shows respect to Jesus, it is clear that Nicodemus does not see Jesus as the Messiah but a mere teacher who has been endowed with the power of God.
In v. 3 Jesus gives a very awkward response to Nicodemus.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The reason why this is so awkward is because Nicodemus didn’t ask a question.
However, Nicodemus responds to Jesus and the conversations begins to free flow.
Meaning, Jesus already knew with what question Nicodemus came to Him.
Nicodemus cannot fathom the words of Jesus.
If you are not born again, you cannot even SEE the kingdom of God.
The response of Nicodemus in v.4 is the proof that he was nowhere near understanding Jesus’ teaching.
So Jesus actually make’s it bit easier for Nicodemus.
John 3:8
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
But it actually wasn’t any easier.
John 3:6-8
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
What is being born again?
What is being born again?
The word “again” in v.3 is the Greek word anōthen. The word can mean two different things
Again
From above
Nicodemus clearly understood it as the former.
“unless one is born again...”
Many scholars argue for the former because Jesus doesn’t correct Nicodemus. However, I believe it is both/and
“unless one is born from above” and “born again” in the sense of renewed, regeneration, becoming someone new and different than who you used to be.
But regardless, Nicodemus does not understand.
To be Born of Water and Spirit
To be Born of Water and Spirit
With Nicodemus failing to understand the “born anōthen,” Jesus rephrases Himself.
“unless one is born of water and the spirit...”
So what does it mean to be born from above? Or to be born of water and spirit?
Many scholar’s connect this born of water to the religious rite of baptism.
I absolutely cannot agree with this interpretation because baptism is nothing but a religious rite. And to think that God would be impressed by our religious rite is absolutely crazy and absurd.
Jesus provides bit more clues on what this could mean in v.6-8.
Though not part of our passage, the next two verses are key to understanding “born of water and spirit.”
In v.9, Nicodemus still cannot understand and needs to explanation.
Jesus responds in v.10 “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?”
Nicodemus was the teacher of Old Testament. Jesus is expecting Nicodemus to understand this because he studies the Old Testament. So the key to understanding “born of water and spirit” must be in the Old Testament.
There are many places in the Old Testament where water and spirit are mentioned individually. However, there is one place where water and spirit are mentioned together in harmony.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
In short, the regeneration that Jesus is speaking of, which is required to enter the kingdom of God, is a life that is renewed by the “cleansing from all your filthiness and from all your idols, and the acquisition of a new heart of flesh, while walking in the commandments of the Lord and carefully observing His ordinances.”
Living a life of purity and holiness
Living a life that is vibrant and alive in God and His Word.
Living a life that is filled with eagerness and yearning to do His will.
This is what is required to enter the kingdom of God.
There is grace
There is grace
You see, there is a problem…and that problem is us. We are a generation that expects and demands instantaneousness, we think that’s what God is like as well.
When we hear a message like this, we think the Lord expects this kind of regeneration right this moment or else. But this is so far from the truth.
John 3:6
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jesus is teaching that being born of water and spirit is not up to us. Flesh is born of flesh, and spirit is born of the Spirit.
It is not something we can do, but it is something we can eagerly ask for and seek for from the Spirit.
John 3:8
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Just as we do not know where the wind comes from or goes to, so is being born again.
It is not something you can force or work towards on your own.
Whent he Spirit of God comes upon you and changes you overtime, at one point in your life, you will look back only to realize how much the Lord has changed you.
Yet, you must desire you. You must seek her like precious jewel. Without the hunger and yearning to be born again, the Spirit will not come upon you.