Born Again in Christ
Continuing in the story of Nicodemus, now verse 2 tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Why at night? We do not really know. Some speculate that he came at night, undercover, because he didn’t want anyone else to know. Yet he was a part of the Sanhedrin who had been sent to investigate and find out who this man, Jesus, really was.
So what really drove Nicodemus to seek Jesus out in the night? Could it be that Nicodemus sought to get closer to Jesus but the crowds were so great that the opportunity never really presented itself? Did Nicodemus set out in the quiet of the night to try and get an up close and personal picture of who this man, Jesus, really was?
Whatever the reason, he went and met Jesus. And he called Him “rabbi,” which means teacher. So Nicodemus recognized Jesus as a teacher even though Jesus did not have the formal education of a Jewish rabbi. Nicodemus gave Jesus this title probably believing in his heart that this man was a prophet sent by God.
He even says so. “Rabbi, we know…” (probably referring to the Jewish council), “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.”
It was evident that Jesus was not an ordinary man. There was something very different about Him. Something more than the ordinary men who had come before Him, claiming to be the One. They had been unable to uphold their claims. But this man Jesus was different and He was proving himself to be more. So much more than those who had come before Him carrying false testimonies.
And so it’s as if Nicodemus was saying to Jesus, I have seen your works and I recognize your power and authority as a teacher sent from God, but tell me more.
Jesus did not respond to Nicodemus’ statement, but instead he got right to the heart of the matter. Jesus says in verse 3, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
What Jesus was saying was that no one, absolutely no one, not even a Jew, not even a Pharisee nor a member of the Jewish council, will see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
The Greek word “again” has three different meanings:
from the beginning, completely
for the second time
from above or from God
So to be “born again” is a change so complete that it is a new birth. You are created all over again. The old is gone and the new has come to stay. This is not a human achievement. It comes from God above, by His power alone.
When were you “born again”?
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach