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What truly identifies someone as a believer or follower of Christ? Some might point to regular church attendance. For others, it is living a virtuous life. Still others may see faith as part of their family heritage—something inherited by being born into a Christian home. Similar assumptions shaped the beliefs of the Jewish leaders, creating another reason for their opposition to accepting Jesus as the promised Messiah. And a challenge to their teachings was not welcome.  

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The tension began when Jesus cleansed the temple and openly rebuked its leaders. John records, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did” (John 2:23). As word of His miracles spread, excitement grew among the crowds. 

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Although most of the Pharisees were angered by Jesus’s actions in the temple, Nicodemus felt compelled to talk with Jesus further. After all, he was a highly trained Pharisee, having spent years studying both the written Law of Moses and the oral traditions passed down from rabbi to rabbi. Perhaps Nicodemus could rebuke Jesus for His impertinence or at least clarify what Jesus's beliefs were. To Nicodemus, meeting privately with Jesus was worth the risk to his reputation.  So, he came to Jesus privately, under cover of night (John 3:1). 

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During Jesus and Nicodemus hours of time together, one important difference in beliefs was stood out-- “being born again.”  While Jesus knew that Nicodemus strived to honor God, he misunderstood God's definition.  "Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  

The phrase “born again” confused Nicodemus. All religious leaders were taught that only a Gentile convert was born again. Someone born as an Israelite, was by birthright a member of God’s family. 

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"Nonsense,” must have been Nicodemus thoughts. After all, “The rabbis of the Talmud explicitly teach: ‘One who converts is like a newborn child.” (myjewishlearning.com). “I was born as a true child of God, not a convert." All  could Nicodemus sputter out was, “Can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (John 3:4). Jesus explained that being accepted by God was more than just a birthright. It was the core anchor of one’s acceptance by God. Then the heart of Jesus’s message: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.  

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A kingdom, by definition, had a king who reigned and had absolute power. Citizens of the king’s domain trusted and obeyed the edicts and decrees the king issued. In return, the king was their protector. When the enemy came, defending the kingdom was the responsibility of the king.  The king also had absolute power. If he wanted your daughter for marriage, his edict would be followed. If he wanted your son for the military, it would happen. Failure to listen to the king led to punishment. The king’s decisions were so critical, that in the Old Testament books of 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles, the nation of Israel prospered or suffered by the king’s leadership. Eventually, the nation of Israel fell because of the evil leading of the kings. 

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Jesus explained that being a child of God was a silent, unseen working in the heart of every person. “Only God’s Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.” (John 3:8.) 

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 For the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s life, it began with an initial repentance, followed by baptism in water. Then the Holy Spirit could birth a new spiritual understanding. Then one became a member of the Kingdom of God.  

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The culmination of Jesus’ discussion possibly reminded Nicodemus of Ezekial 36:25-27. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” That was Christ’s goal: for His followers, led by the Holy Spirit, to follow the One true King. 

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Time was needed for Nicodemus to reconcile this new definition with his old understanding. His conflict? Accepting a belief system that said any man, Jewish or not, was worthy of being a part of God’s family. It took time, but Nicodemus became a believer. In John 7:50, Nicodemus defended Jesus before the Pharisees and Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial after His crucifixion. The cost of a true spiritual reawakening was worth the risk. 

 

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Fellow Christian, the cost of true spiritual reawakening is worth the risk..