Born Again - John 2:23 - 3:21
In this passage Jesus teaches about God's Kingdom and introduces the concept of being "born again".
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
John 2:23 - 3:21
You Must Be Born Again
In this passage Jesus is approached by Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, who commends Jesus as a teacher from God because of the miraculous signs he performs. In doing this Nicodemus reveals that he considers himself to be perceptive enough to understand what Jesus is doing. Jesus uses this opportunity to explain to Nicodemus and everyone else present that only those who have been born again can understand what he is doing. When Nicodemus wonders how a person can return to the womb for a physical rebirth, Jesus explains that the rebirth he is discussing is spiritual not physical.
Perhaps you're like Nicodemus and see yourself as someone who understands what God is up to in the world around you. If so, you should know that unless you've been born again you're deceiving yourself. Nicodemus struggled with this concept and perhaps you do as well. Nevertheless, because Jesus speaks with unique authority as the Son of Man who came from heaven, you would do well to listen to him.
The Bronze Snake
In Numbers 21:1-9, we find the story of a tough situation that the Israelites faced on their journey to the promised land. They were suffering from poisonous snake bites brought on by their grumbling against God. When they repented and asked for help, God directed Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake on the pole and live. Similarly, anyone who is suffering from the consequences of rebelion against God can look to Jesus and live.
For God So Loved The World
Have you been born of water but not of the Spirit? Are you experiencing painful consequences as a result of a bad attitude towards God? If so, we want you to know that God sent his son Jesus into the world not to condemn you, but so that you could have eternal life! Will you believe in him and receive it or will you reject him and experience condemnation? The choice is yours! If you're ready to begin following Jesus check out our following Jesus page.
Good News Passages
Subject |
Scripture Reference |
|---|---|
| The Rich Young Ruler | |
Day of Pentecost |
|
Cornelius' Household |
|
Paul in Pamphylia |
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Paul in Athens |
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Paul's Gospel |
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