Nicodemus had just admitted that Jesus was the Messiah and was sent from God. Moreover, he knew this, because the power of God stood behind Jesus’ miracles. What Jesus does in John 3:3 is to test Nicodemus’ integrity. How much does he really believe what he told Jesus? The ruler admits Jesus is the Messiah and the power of God was behind all he did. Ordinarily, Nicodemus, the Pharisee, believed the Kingdom of God would need to be brought into existence through a violent overthrow of the Roman government, which presently governed Jewish lands. However, Jesus tells him that that violence wasn’t necessary to establish God’s Kingdom. Its presence is dependent upon God! So, is the power of God and only the power of God up to the task, or does God need the Pharisees to establish the presence of God’s Kingdom? Will Nicodemus, the ruler, admit that he is unnecessary to bring in the Kingdom of God?
Surprisingly, Jesus told his nighttime visitor that he would be unable to even see the Kingdom of God, unless he were born again (John 3:3)! But, what did Jesus mean—born again? It seems that Nicodemus had no place for Jesus’ words. Certainly, it was well known that words could have a hidden meaning (cp. Judges 9:8-15; 14:14), but what did Jesus’ words mean? Nicodemus simply had no spiritual context in which to put Jesus’ words. He pointed out their literal context, but such a thing was simply ridiculous (John 3:4). So, what does Jesus mean? Yet, unlike the other rulers, Nicodemus was still willing to listen to what Jesus had to say, but the concept of being born again seemed so strange?
The idea of rebirth comes out of the need created by Adam, when he rebelled in Eden. In the day he ate the forbidden fruit, he died (Genesis 2:17; 3:6-7). However, nothing was actually seen to have occurred, when Adam and his wife ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). When Eve ate, she didn’t physically die (Genesis 3:4). In other words, because nothing was observed, they were unaware of the death that took place, but they knew something took place, because “their eyes were opened,” and they felt the need to cover themselves (Genesis 3:7). Even so, Nicodemus, having no understanding of spiritual matters, couldn’t understand the need to regain the life that was lost in Eden, in order to ‘see’ (G1492; perceive) the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). God’s Kingdom exists, whether or not Adam and Eve were able to perceive it, whether or not Nicodemus was able to perceive it. However, the life lost in Eden had to be restored. In other words, Nicodemus’ spirit had to be renewed, vis-à-vis he had to be born again, if he would ever be enabled to perceive the Kingdom’s existence.
Jesus spoke of both a physical and a spiritual birth (John 3:5-6), by stating his case twice but in different words. He defined being born of water, as being born of the flesh, and this amounted to a physical birth. The spirit, however, is different. We are able to see we are alive, but we cannot see our life; we are cognizant only of its effects. Our bodies, which we do see, are able to experience life through its five gates: sight, sound, scent, touch and taste. These are the only means we have to experience life or the spirit. So, Jesus told Nicodemus not to be so concerned about the rebirth of the spirit (life), which he was unable to see, hear, smell, touch or taste. He offered an example in the wind. It blows wherever it ‘wishes’ but one is unable to tell either from where it arises or where it ends. We simply are aware of its presence (John 3:7-8). So, it is with the Kingdom of God. One is unable to see it, nor is it physically obvious to whomsoever is in the Kingdom. One simply experiences it, like one experiences sight or sound, and it that way we are aware of our new birth!
Smoodock's Blog 
4 responses to “Unless You Are Born Again”
Good morning! So, at what point do you believe the new covenant came into operation? Was Jesus’s words to Nicodemus speak to the same born again experience that we must go through? I think it does, but some might disagree. Further, as an evangelical I have always believed (because that it the way it was taught) that the experience is instantaneous, yet others believe is is more of a process leading to spiritual awakening.
I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between, or both. The evangelical position leads to the idea that you can walk down an isle and say the ‘sinners prayer’ and your in! Yet I have known many folks who profess an instantaneous regeneration including being freed from drugs, etc. In any instance I suspect we would agree that its God’s work and not ours that salvation is based upon.
Thanks for your entry today, it really is a beautiful explanation of Nicodemus’ experience.
Greetings Dave, thanks for your kind words and for your comment. Lord bless you.
The New Covenant came into operation at what we refer to as the Last Supper, and it was “cut” in the crucifixion. Jesus was the first to be “born again” at the Resurrection (cp. Romans 8:29), and what Jesus mentioned to Nicodemus is exactly what all born-again brethren experience.
Dave, I’m going to say something here that may bring some offense, but I don’t mean it to be offensive. I do not support the position of any organized system of beliefs. Think of it this way. In the Garden of Eden, prior to our spiritual death in Adam, our spirits were alive, and the Lord gave us permission to choose of any of the fruits of the garden that our hearts might desire. We aren’t talking apples and oranges here. We are talking about finding out about life, making decisions, partaking of this or that idea etc. It is our responsibility to do that in order to grow into the “image” of God, which we were all created to be. When folks, well meaning folks, who represent organized Christianity, try to tell us what fruits to partake of and what fruits not to partake, that is limiting God. That’s contradicting the word of God to mankind. I’m not against church fellowship, but I am against church fellowship that demands the cookie cutter mentality. Folks can disagree and still be brethren. You and I can and may disagree, but this doesn’t change our relationship to one another or to God. It is God who will guide us into, whom he wishes us to be. If one tries to help the caterpillar become the butterfly, one destroys the work God has put in place.
Hope this isn’t offensive, not certain if it answers the questions in the last paragraph, but I felt the need to come clean about this. Lord bless you, my friend.
Thanks for answering my questions. Its interesting to look at the Last Supper in that light. And it makes entire sense.
For much of what you stated regarding beliefs I agree. Systematic procedural theology is a problem regardless of which side of the fence one is on. I spent alot of time in Sunday School tamping down statements about the Catholic Church being of the devil and so forth. I also don’t believe the Church was ever meant to be divided. I like your garden imagery, as that allows for accepting of gifts from God. Those gifts can occasionally be miraculous in that we don’t understand them completely. I have on one occasion experiences the ‘breath” of the Spirit which yielded me on the floor; absolutely unexpected; and I knew it was a gift. I’ll share more of that later. The problem comes when we experience something and then try to make a religion out of it. Thus we end up with the many different sects that we have.
So, absolutely I’m not offended and I’m probably 85% with you on this one!
I’ll send you an email soon
Blessings
Thanks for that, Dave. I really thought I offended you in my last comment. I was praying I was wrong. I am greatly relieved. Lord bless you.
By the way, all of what you said above I am with you in this.