To be born of the Spirit

John 3

Jesus used Nicodemus’ questions to help us understand why the Son of Man had come down to earth. Many had waited in great expectation for a deliverer, someone who would set them free from those who tormented them and perhaps that is, in part, the reason why many overlooked Jesus’ purpose. John told his disciples this about Jesus (verse 32) “He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them!” Nicodemus was well versed in the law and Jesus said he was respected for it but his spiritual understanding was in its infancy. Still it was because of the Holy Spirit he talked to Jesus that day and therefore opened the door to his own spiritual growth. When Jesus explained the first thing about his spiritual life Nicodemus returned to what he knew and understood best and therefore assumed Jesus was talking about the physical and wondered how a grown man could re-enter the womb. You can almost hear Jesus say, “Now stay with me Nicodemus” as He explained how the rebirth of the spirit is necessary to see heaven. Until then the Jewish people depended upon their own ability to live within the confines of the law of Moses to receive God’s goodness and mercy but Jesus had come to deliver them from these (chains). Only those who passed through the door of spiritual rebirth had eyes to see what Jesus had done for them, requiring the first step in faith. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (NLT). For the Son of Man is the Deliverer they had all been waiting for but His work was masked by the people’s inability to understand the spiritual. For the tormentors of the flesh would pass away but Jesus was more concerned about that which tormented their spirits, the eternal but understood the physical needs sometimes required attention first therefore removing that which blinded them to their own spiritual needs.