John 3:1-15 (ESV)

¹ Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” ³ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ⁴ Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ⁹ Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” ¹⁰ Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? ¹¹ Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. ¹² If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

John had just stated that Jesus knew what was in a man. In verse 1, John adds, “Now there was a man.” Jesus knew what was in this man too. His name was Nicodemus, and he came to Jesus under the cover of night. He was a member of the ruling group of the Jews known as the Pharisees. He was probably concerned about his reputation since Jesus wasn’t popular among the Jewish leaders. Nicodemus interestingly admitted, “We know that you are a teacher come from God.” The Pharisees recognized Jesus’ uniqueness because of the signs that he performed. Jesus could not do what he did unless God was with him. Jesus, knowing what was needed in Nicodemus, responded to his profession with “Truly, truly.” In other words, “Listen! This is the truth!” And then he continued, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was confused. How could he be born again? Jesus explained, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Although there are many opinions about what “water and Spirit” refer to, it seems they are to be taken together as a unit. To be born again means to be born of water and Spirit. To the Jew, water symbolized purification or cleansing, and the Spirit symbolized being raised from death to newness of life with the power to obey God’s law (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

Have you ever referred to yourself as a “born again” Christian? You may not realize that the statement is redundant. Using the term “born again Christian” is like saying “Christian Christian.” According to Jesus, if one is not born again, she is not a Christian. Jesus clearly taught that no one is physically born as a Christian. In verse 6, Jesus added, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” This should not have surprised Nicodemus, and it should not surprise us either. When were you born again? How has your life changed since? If you were cleansed and empowered to walk in the Spirit, have you stayed on track? If not, ask God to help you walk consistently with who you are as a born again person. If you are a follower of Jesus, God’s Holy Spirit has brought you to life twice, both physically and spiritually. You are truly alive!