Day 6

“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’.”   —  JOHN 3:2

Nicodemus was a Pharisee. That meant he kept a daily string of rigid rules. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin Council, which was the highest Jewish authority allowed under Roman rule. No doubt, he was greatly respected and determined to keep the laws of God, but he knew it wasn’t enough. 

Then into Jerusalem came a young street preacher from Nazareth. He had no credentials, no qualifications, no official position, but people were gathering in great numbers to hear Him. Nicodemus recognized something in this young preacher, which he did not have in himself. His own religion was one of externals, faithfully keeping the rules, but his heart was empty. At night, he slipped out quietly to meet with Jesus, and Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3).  

To be ‘born again’ does not mean that we have simply made a fresh start or turned over a new leaf. It is to receive a new life. Nicodemus had asked a genuine question. “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4).  Jesus answered, “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” (John 3:5-6).

When we are born of the Spirit, we receive new life imparted to us by the Holy Spirit – in fact, it is the life of the Holy Spirit Himself. This is what Nicodemus recognized to be present in Jesus, ‘for no man can do what you are doing if God were not with him’. What Nicodemus saw in Jesus could only have had its source in God, and only be explained by the fact that God was with Him. Nicodemus was exactly right, and he too could experience this life – but he had to be born again. 

The Spirit, like wind, blows where it will, and we don’t know who the Spirit is drawing, but we know He is drawing us when we become aware of our need and see in Christ a solution to that need. That was the quest of Nicodemus and he found his answer, not in what Jesus said, but in Jesus, Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that it is through your Son we are given the answer to our most vital needs. Thank You, Lord, for having sent Him into this world and for His resurrected life that indwells us. That’s what makes the difference between emptiness and fulfillment.

TO REFLECT UPON: Have I ever felt that something was missing in my life, but couldn’t put my finger on it? Did I turn to Jesus and if so, what difference did that make?