Are new beginnings possible? Can people be transformed? Can a community (be it a family or a church) be renewed?
That was the kind of question that Nicodemus asked Jesus one night.
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 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.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.”
4 “How can anyone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 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.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Even with all his accomplishments as an esteemed Jewish official and teacher of the Law, Nicodemus knew that he was missing something powerful in life that Jesus could offer. Jesus said that Nicodemus needed to a new birth (v3)!
“How can anyone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus found Jesus’ answer incredible.
How can people change after a lifetime of addictions, convictions, inclinations, or even genetic dispositions? Is there any hope of renewal and transformation for a community that been damage by our bad and ugly self-centeredness?
Jesus’ answer was “Yes.” But “flesh gives birth to flesh” (6a), so no amount of scrupulous pharisaic obedience to the Law, commands, and regulations will do. Neither will all of our self-help, self-polishing, self-improvement, or self-determination. Being “born again/above” is being “born of the Spirit.” Only the Spirit of God makes this spiritual birth happen (v5-8). We cannot control the process, just as a baby cannot control the process of his or her own birth. This is the life of child-like faith.
Are new beginnings possible? Yes, the Spirit of God brings new beginnings and transformation into the lives of believers and believing communities. Our response can only be to give up control and to trust and obey the work of the Spirit. We can give up control and rest in the care of the Spirit because the love of God triumphs over all fears (v16; 1 Jn 4:18).
The power of the Spirit works in mysterious yet exciting ways far beyond our imagination (v8a). As you pray, ask the Spirit to show you His ongoing activities in your life and in the lives of others in your community around you and offer your thanksgiving. If you have a hard time detecting the work of the Spirit, ask the Spirit to grant you spiritual sensitivity so you can be more attentive to His guidance. Ask the Spirit to show you where in your life you need to hand control over Him. Then trust and obey His leading for today.
And expect the Spirit at work as you prepare to worship the Lord this Sunday!
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