Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 2:23-3:15
Setting the statement in context: Jesus has just been in Cana in Galilee where he attended a wedding and changed water into wine. From there, Jesus went to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples where he stayed for a few days. As it was time for Passover, Jesus went from there to Jerusalem where he found the Temple full of merchants selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others exchanging money. Because they had turned his Father's house into a market, Jesus fashioned a whip out of cord and chased them all out. Later while still in Jerusalem, a Pharisee named Nicodemus went late at night to visit Jesus. Some say he came at night because he was afraid to come during the day or that he wanted to have a long conversation that would not be possible during the day. Nicodemus acknowledged that Jesus was a teacher that has come from God because no one could perform the miraculous signs Jesus was doing if God were not with him. Jesus responds with "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Nicodemus thinking of worldly things says that surely a person cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time. Jesus responds with a question; "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?" Jesus says "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe, how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" "So the Son of man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life" (resurrected).
Nicodemus seems to be a bit dense here, particularly since he is a teacher of the Jewish faith that includes prophecies of Jesus' coming. It is easy to think like a Monday morning quarterback and wonder how Nicodemus was unable to understand what he was being told. But how often have I looked for explanations based on my knowledge of the physical world when the explanation lies in the spiritual world? As a person that has studied and spent a career in science, probably too often. Would I have done any better?
As Christians, being spiritually born again we are set apart from other religions and don't have to worry about things like the 613 laws of the Jewish Torah. However, we must try our best to live up to the example set by Jesus. But when we fail, and as humans we will fail, Grace will see us through.
Warren Harper
