What do you Mean, Born Again?

We saw in a previous post that Jesus was gaining a reputation for performing "signs". The gospel writer uses this term 18 times to describe different acts performed by Jesus - some of them clearly miraculous. 

Nicodemus had heard of these signs. He may have witnessed some of them first hand. He knew that extraordinary miracles were happening through the rabbi from the north of Israel - Jesus of Nazareth. He wanted to talk with Jesus about the significance of these signs.

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘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.’
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'

Nicodemus was authorised with others to make rulings on matters of religious life and practice among his fellow Jews. He was also a Pharisee - a member of a group known for their zeal for the Jewish scriptures and for debating and applying the scriptures to all areas of life and activity. They founded many synagogues and schools in Israel and among the wider Jewish diaspora. 

The conclusion Nicodemus had reached so far in his investigation into Jesus was that God was with Jesus in a special way. He saw Jesus as a special teacher of truth. The signs were evidence of this.

Nicodemus had not asked a question, but Jesus answered him as if he had! As so often in his teaching, Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter and addresses the issue behind the introductory words of Nicodemus. Rather than thank Nicodemus for his kind words, Jesus perceives and addresses the Pharisee's true spiritual condition.

Despite his learning, his religious zeal and his social standing, Nicodemus was lacking something vital. He needed to "see the kingdom of God."    

The term "kingdom of God" to first-century Jews referred to God coming to rule decisively among his people; to overthrow evil and to usher in an era of blessing and peace. It was the breaking in of a new age in which the will of God was done and in which God's kingship was clearly seen and demonstrated. The gospel writers record Jesus speaking about the kingdom of God about fifty times. It was a central theme of his life and teaching.  
 
In order to see the kingdom of God, Nicodemus needed to be "born again". In fact, no-one could see the rule of God without experiencing this new birth.  

The term "born again" has a dual meaning: it means to be born a second time but in the original language of the gospels, the term "again" also has the sense of "from above". To be born again, according to Jesus, is to be re-born from above - from heaven.

Even for Nicodemus, a committed religious man, his learning and his zeal were not enough. There was a radical re-start required in his life if he were to see and grasp anything of the true nature of God's kingdom. 

As you investigate the words of Jesus, what conclusions have you started to come to so far? What do you think of Jesus' ability to see a person's true spiritual condition? What do you make of his claim that a person must experience a radical new birth if they are to see and experience the rule of God? 

You can read the whole story we've looked at today here. 

 
  

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