“Nicodemus…came to Jesus…and said, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher…Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3
When Nicodemus came to speak to Jesus one night, he was defying most of his Sanhedrin colleagues in doing so. He also held beliefs about Jesus that his peers did not. Nicodemus saw that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God for He did miracles and performed signs which proved His direct link to God. How much more Nicodemus believed about Jesus we do not know. Perhaps he was beginning to believe Jesus was the Messiah and wanted to talk to Him about it. It is likely he came to Jesus to discuss such beliefs and to ask questions about who He was and what He planned, etc. Nicodemus was a teacher and he recognized Jesus as a teacher also and no doubt intended to engage in a theological discussion with Him, but Jesus didn’t give him the chance to have a question-and-answer session. Instead, He went straight to the heart of the matter and said, “you must be born again to see the kingdom of God.” He had no time for debate or questions because He cared about his heart and his salvation. The only thing Nicodemus needed to know was that he must be born anew, born of the Spirit.
There are many today, like Nicodemus, that hold right beliefs about who Jesus is. They would pass the Sunday School quiz with flying colors. They know all about Jesus, but they don’t know Him in their heart. They do not have a personal relationship with the living Lord because they’ve not been born again. They have not received Christ Jesus into their life. He has not been invited in. Jesus came knocking at the door of their house, but the conversation was conducted on the doorstep. It was friendly and factual, but the Lord stayed outside on the stoop. He may have come knocking many times yet never has He been invited to come in, sit down, hear a heartfelt confession of sin and then been asked to stay in the house forever.
The Bible speaks of life eternal which is given to everyone who believes on Christ. The belief He speaks of is not in the head but in the heart. “As many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God.” Eternal life is given when Jesus enters your life, but the gospel of John also contends that “he who does not obey the Son will not see life.” (John 1:12; 3:36) If Christ is not in you obedience to Him, which is equally important, will be impossible. Don’t be content to know about Him; come to know Him. Invite Christ into your life today. You must be born again!
Bruce MacInnes is pastor of Goldston Baptist Church
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