Born again
Today's focusJesus tells Nicodemus, a respected teacher, that no one can see God's kingdom without being born again by the Spirit — a new beginning only God can give.
Read
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus 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? 5Jesus 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. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The 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.
Reflection
Nicodemus, a respected ruler and teacher, approached Jesus under the cover of night. Though he recognized Jesus as a "teacher come from God" because of the miracles he performed, Jesus pointed him toward a deeper reality. He explained that mere observation is not enough; "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This new beginning is not something you can achieve through your own effort or status. It is a work of God that moves beyond what "is born of the flesh."
Jesus describes this spiritual transformation using the image of the wind, which "bloweth where it listeth." You can hear its sound, yet you cannot control its path or fully explain its origins. To be "born of the Spirit" is to receive a life that you did not create for yourself. It is a gift of grace that allows you to "enter into the kingdom of God." Today, you can take comfort that God is the author of this new life, working in ways as quiet and powerful as the wind to renew your heart.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Like Nicodemus, what questions about faith do you bring to Jesus, and are you willing to come to him with them honestly?
Pray
Lord, I cannot make myself new, but you can. Thank you that your Spirit gives new birth. Meet me in my questions, as you met Nicodemus, and make me alive to your kingdom.