The Essential Birth: Jesus' Conversation with Nicodemus
Among the profound encounters recorded in the Gospel of John, few are as pivotal and illuminating as the nocturnal dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. This clandestine meeting, detailed in John chapter 3, unveils a foundational truth of Christianity: the absolute necessity of being "born again." Far from a mere religious nicety, Jesus presents this spiritual rebirth as the sole gateway to seeing and entering the Kingdom of God, a truth that continues to challenge and transform lives today.
Nicodemus: A Seeker in the Night
Nicodemus was not an ordinary man. He was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, and described by Jesus Himself as "a master of Israel" (John 3:10). His visit to Jesus by night suggests a mixture of genuine curiosity, a desire for private instruction, and perhaps a fear of his peers' disapproval. He recognized Jesus' divine authority, acknowledging, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (John 3:2). This recognition, however, was intellectual, based on outward signs. Jesus, perceiving the deeper spiritual need, immediately cut to the heart of the matter, bypassing Nicodemus's initial compliments to reveal a truth far more profound than any miracle.
The Startling Declaration: "Ye Must Be Born Again"
Without preamble, Jesus uttered a truth that must have sounded utterly perplexing to the highly educated Nicodemus:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus, taking Jesus' words literally, responded with confusion:
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
His question reveals the natural man's inability to comprehend spiritual realities. Jesus then clarified, emphasizing the dual nature of this essential birth:
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
This verse highlights the absolute necessity of this spiritual transformation. It is not an option for those who wish to enter God's Kingdom; it is a prerequisite. Jesus further distinguished between the physical and the spiritual:
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
He then reiterated the command with even greater emphasis:
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The word "must" leaves no room for alternative paths or human merit. It is a divine imperative.
The Birth of Water and the Spirit Explained
The phrase "born of water and of the Spirit" has been interpreted in various ways throughout church history. While some have linked "water" to physical birth or water baptism, the most Biblically consistent interpretation, especially in context with "Spirit," points to a spiritual cleansing and regeneration. The "water" here can symbolize the washing of regeneration, often associated with the cleansing power of God's Word (Ephesians 5:26) and the Holy Spirit's work. The "Spirit," unequivocally, refers to the Holy Ghost, who alone can impart spiritual life to a soul that is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).
This new birth is not a human effort but a divine work. It's not about improving one's self or adhering to religious rituals. It is a supernatural impartation of life from God. Jesus illustrated this mystery with the analogy of the wind:
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Just as one cannot control or fully comprehend the wind, yet its effects are undeniable, so too is the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. It is a sovereign act of God, unseen in its operation, yet evident in the transformation it produces in a believer's life. This new birth results in a new nature, new desires, and a new direction, leading to repentance and faith in Christ.
The Way to Eternal Life: Belief in the Son
Nicodemus, still grappling with the concept of spiritual birth, asked, "How can these things be?" (John 3:9). Jesus, marveling at his lack of understanding despite his position as a teacher, then shifted the conversation to the core of the Gospel message. He spoke of heavenly things, bearing witness to what He had seen and known, and then revealed the ultimate path to eternal life:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This verse encapsulates the Gospel: God's immense love, His costly sacrifice, and the simple condition for receiving eternal life – belief in His Son.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
His purpose was redemptive, offering a way out of the condemnation that humanity's sin had incurred.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Condemnation is not something God inflicts arbitrarily; it is the natural consequence of rejecting the light and preferring darkness, because one's deeds are evil (John 3:19-20). Those who "do truth" come to the light, that their deeds "may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:21).
Implications for Believers Today
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus holds timeless truths for every individual seeking a relationship with God:
- Universality of the Command: The "ye" in "Ye must be born again" is plural and applies to all people, regardless of their religious background, moral standing, or intellectual acumen. Nicodemus, a highly religious and moral man, still needed this spiritual transformation.
- Spiritual Transformation, Not Religious Affiliation: Being born again is not about joining a church, performing rituals, or adhering to a set of rules. It is a radical, inward change of heart and spirit, brought about by the Holy Spirit.
- God's Work, Not Man's Effort: Human effort cannot produce this new birth. It is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Evidence of the New Birth: While unseen in its initiation, the new birth manifests itself in tangible ways: a love for God and His Word, repentance from sin, a desire for holiness, and a growing obedience to Christ's commands. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Conclusion
Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus lays bare the core of the Christian faith: salvation is not earned through works or religious adherence, but received through a supernatural birth initiated by God's Spirit, resulting in a new life in Christ. The imperative "Ye must be born again" remains as true and urgent today as it was on that night in Jerusalem. It is the essential step for anyone who desires to see and enter the Kingdom of God, made possible by God's infinite love and the sacrificial work of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in whom whosoever believeth shall have everlasting life.