BORN AGAIN! THE PHRASE IS ARRESTING AND FRESH, ALIVE WITH MEANING.
"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'you must be born again.'" (see entire story in John 3:1-17)
New life! Is it actually possible? Jesus is saying in this passage that it actually is. Nicodemus, a Pharisee is brought up short, baffled and confused. He is not expecting Jesus to answer his question the way he did. He could only understand from an earthly perspective. Therefore, Nicodemus, hemmed in, can only phrase his wondering response in fleshing terms.
Nicodemus, because of his position as a ruler of the Jews, comes to Jesus at night - he was interested and perplexed at the same time. He addresses Jesus as "Rabbi," a title of respect he used because he believed he could learn something from this new teacher. "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Once Nicodemus asked the question, Jesus responds to his question with a friendly statement by coming directly to the heart of the matter. He does not waste time on peripheral issues. Nicodemus hangs onto Jesus's words. "I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom." Only Jesus has the authority to make this categorical, uncompromising statement! Jesus uses a basic earthly category - human birth - to illuminate a profound spiritual reality.
"Born again!" The phrase is arresting and fresh, alive with meaning. Another chance, starting over, new life! Is it possible? That is exactly what Jesus is saying. Certainly, it is for the wooly worm and for us, too.
This is a "new beginning," a starting over again. This is a new life given by God Himself, a breaking in of His grace, a supernatural act bringing forth a new creation. Just as a human birth is a mystery, but a very specific reality, so there is a deeper mystery and reality about spiritual birth. God gives Himself to a particular person, who, in receiving Him, is born anew.
This newborn person now understands a new order of being, the kingdon of God. He has given new eyes and a new heart to apprehend what it means to be a member of a new family, a child of God living in joyful obedience to the Father's will. He came in love to save, to heal, and to offer spiritual birth. He did not come to condemn or judge. But His coming sharpens the issues. Now we must decide!
The wooly worms heads into a cocoon and turns into a beautiful butterfly - when we become born again the Spirit of God enters our heart and we become a new creature in Jesus Christ. It is a life-changing transformation. The new creation must be cultivated or nurtured by spiritual decisiveness to grow in Christ. We must not revert to putting on the old suit of the former life; rather we must continue to grow in this new life. (Ephesians 5:8)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
