A Birthday Conversation
John 3
The third chapter of John opens with a conversation. A man named Nicodemus comes to see Jesus one night. Nicodemus is a religious leader and a member of the same group that will eventually crucify Jesus. He seems to be very curious and has several questions to discuss with Jesus. Nicodemus, along with many other people (2:23-24), has noticed the signs performed by Jesus. He seems to understand that the only way Jesus could do what He is doing is because God is with Him. (3:2)
Nicodemus shows up looking for answers, but leaves with more questions. It is interesting to note that during this conversation, Nicodemus’ questions and comments gradually get shorter and shorter until he is left speechless. Jesus almost appears to be toying with him. As a religious leader and a noted teacher, or rabbi, Nicodemus should have known what was going on here. Jesus is echoing the prophet Ezekiel’s words (Ezekiel 36:25-27) and a great teacher should have know that.
Jesus tells Nicodemus the only way to understand what He is doing and teaching is if he is “born again”. (3:3) He goes on to tell Nicodemus this should not surprise him. Humans must be born before they can understand the human world. And in order to truly understand spiritual matters you would need to be “spiritually born again”. (3:6) The spiritual rebirth that Jesus is speaking of will give new eyes to see, new ears to hear, and a new heart to perceive. This is exactly what happens when we, you and I, put our faith in Jesus - we receive a renewed heart!
There is another reason Nicodemus should not have been surprised by the idea of being born again. The Old Testament, of which Nicodemus claimed to be a scholar, taught of this as well. Being a part of God’s people always meant a change of heart and nature. (Deuteronomy 30:6)
Taking this a step further, he should have known that all of humanity has a God-denying poison in their veins. It has been there since the fall of man. Moses had to deal with it repeatedly. (Numbers 21) Jesus is talking about God healing the world, healing His beloved creation, by offering them a new birth. (3:14-15)
Please do not miss this. God does not hate the world, He loves it! (3:16) But the world stands condemned, poisoned and on the verge of death (3:18). Jesus has come to rescue us all! All of us, like Nicodemus, are lost and broken in our unbelief. So, Jesus became flesh so that He would be lifted up on the cross and save all who look to Him!