How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit
It was late at night as he made his way to Jesus. The crowds had gone home to rest. He was a scholar, one of the elect of the Sanhedrin. He had spent his lifetime studying the scripture; yet, this man Jesus from Nazareth spoke as no other he had heard before. Then, there were the miracles as well. He, Nicodemus, wanted to have a moment to speak with this man who had run all the money changers and merchants from the temple; who had then taught the scripture as no other teacher had ever done. With a tone of great respectfulness as he approached he said to Jesus, “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” (John 3:2 NIV).
[bctt tweet=”Then Jesus very passionately responds with the greatest truth that all needed to know. “]This was the greatest message of all. The good news of why Jesus had come to this earth to be the final sacrifice needed to cover man’s sin and to provide the only atonement that can give new spiritual life. It was the only message that could restore a full, vibrant relationship with God. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3 NIV).
A bit confused yet wanting to understand, Nicodemus asked “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!” (John 3: 4)
Once more the reply from Jesus leaves Nicodemus wondering. “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8 NIV)
Once more Nicodemus is puzzled and asks, ““How can this be?” (John 3: 9 NIV)
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? (John 3:10 NIV)
Why should Nicodemus have understood this? What did Jesus mean by “no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit?” There are some who would say the “water” is referring to being born in the flesh and then spiritual birth is salvation. Perhaps that would be an explanation; however, let’s ponder the thought once more. What in old scripture which should have been known by Nicodemus, speaks to being born with water and spirit?
If we turn to Ezekiel 36 we find the Jewish nation going after idolatry once more. Their behavior was such as to bring shame God’s Holy name before all the people of the world; yet, God proclaims that He will once more restore His name. God said, “25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness; and from all your idols will I cleanse you.26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.27 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them.28 And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be My people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36: 25-28 AMP)
We saw in the first miracle where Christ used the “purifying water” to change into wine. In that he symbolized the truth that He came to pour out His life so that man’s sin would be covered. He was to pay the penalty for sin. His blood would become the purifying water to cleanse all who believed in Him. Man that is born in the flesh has two major problems: He is spiritually dead to God and he is filled with a stony heart of sin. Both must be dealt with so that man can be made alive to God. The sin must be washed away so that a perfectly Righteous God might commune with man. Beyond that, there could be no spiritual relationship between God and man who is spiritually dead. So, salvation must be both that man’s sin is covered with Christ’s righteousness and man must be at that sme moment made spiritually alive. Man must be made alive to God spiritually so that man can see, desire, and love God’s Glory. Jesus came to provide both.
Nicodemus came and saw Jesus as a “great teacher”; but did not see that He was the fulfillment of Old Testament scripture. Jesus then tries to remind Nicodemus about the serpents that were lifted up on a cross as the atonement for the people. He tried to tell Nicodemus that He was God’s only begotten son who came to die that all who believed would be saved. He tried to tell Nicodemus that salvation was by faith and faith alone. He tried to explain salvation to this Old Testament Scholar.
[bctt tweet=”So, the question is have you been born again?”] Do you know Christ as Your Savior? Have you been washed by the cleansing flood? Have you laid your sins at the foot of the Cross? If so, God’s promise was to give you a new heart and the Holy Spirit to guide you every step of the way along this journey.
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The song I chose for you to enjoy today is: Jesus, Thank You
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