You Must Be Born Again!

If you were to take a survey of your office or your neighborhood or your class or your friend group and asked the following question, “What do you think it takes for a person to go to heaven,” there is one answer that more than likely would be the most popular. 

 

That answer is, “Be a good person and don’t hurt anybody else.”  While that sounds good initially, it is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in New Testament, specifically the gospels. 

 

Jesus answered that question in today’s text, and His answer is, “You must be born again.” His answer will also serve as the tittle of my sermon this morning, “You must be born again.” 

 

 

Exposition

Remember from last Sunday that Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover. According to the final verses of chapter 2, while He was there, He performed some signs or miracles.  Consequently, there were some folks that made an initial decision to follow Him because of what they saw.

 

In verse 1, a man named Nicodemus came to meet Jesus at night.  3:1 says he was a man of the Pharisees.  They were Jewish Religious Leaders that were expert students and then teachers of the Old Testament Law. 

 

Also, he was a ruler of the Jews.  In other words, he was a member of the Sanhedrin.  This was the Jewish “supreme court” that governed religion matters and civil matters. 

 

Why did Nicodemus come by night?  Some say that he was afraid to be seen with Jesus.  Other say the darkness symbolizes Nicodemus’ heart. 

 

However, it is probably simplest to understand that he wanted to talk to Jesus uninterrupted without the crowds.  Nighttime was also seen as the time to study the Scriptures and talk theology after work had been finished. 

 

In verse 2, we see that Nicodemus did have some experience with Jesus.  Perhaps he had heard about Him or may have even seen Him do a miracle because he talked about that being evidence that Jesus was from God. 

 

Nicodemus knew enough to know that the average person couldn’t do what Jesus had done.  Jesus’ power and supernatural ability had to come from God.

 

In verse 3, Jesus responded to Nicodemus’ statement with one of His own.  He said that unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. 

 

Born again is the idea of regeneration.  It means to come to life again. 

 

Why would Jesus say this?  He knew the condition of Nicodemus’ heart.  The story of Nicodemus actually began back at the end of chapter 2.  It seems that he was one of those that initially believed because of what he saw Jesus do.  Remember, that didn’t go over well with Jesus.

 

Nicodemus, like most Jews, thought that participation in God’s kingdom was reserved for the Jews.  However, Jesus made the requirement not one of race or ethnicity but of being born again. 

 

At that time, Nicodemus had not been born again and was not a part of God’s kingdom.  This was shocking to him.

 

What does it mean to be born again?  Nicodemus wondered the same question in 3:4. He seems to sarcastically ask if a man could enter his mother’s womb a second time.  I don’t think Nicodemus was stupid, but he was confused as to what Jesus meant. 

 

In 3:5, Jesus explained.  He said a man must be born of water and the Spirit.  Now what does this mean?  Let’s begin with what this doesn’t mean.  There have been those who had said this verse teaches baptismal regeneration or being saved through the physical act of baptism.  This verse cannot mean that because that would contrary to the rest of the New Testament. 

 

Another option could be that Jesus was referencing to physical birth.  Nicodemus mentioned a woman’s womb.  Jesus is talking about flesh in 3:6. He might be saying that a person had to be physically born when a woman’s water breaks and then born again by the Spirit or born from above to enter heaven. 

 

However, I have come to believe that Jesus may also be meaning water to represent repentance.  Nicodemus would have been familiar with John the Baptist and his message.  His baptism was one that demonstrated repentance, and we know that the Bible teaches that act of faith and repentance is necessary for salvation. 

 

Therefore, Jesus could be saying that a person must repent and be born of the Spirit.  Regardless, He says you must be born again or you cannot enter the kingdom of God.

 

In verses 6-8, we find out more truths about being born again.  First of all, it is essential for salvation.  Jesus said you must do it.  You cannot be saved or enter the kingdom of God or go to heaven without being born again. 

 

Secondly, notice that it is personal.  This entire dialogue is with a single person, Nicodemus.  However, in 3:7, when Jesus said you must be born again, you is plural.  It applies to everyone. 

 

Lastly, it is mysterious.  In 3:8, Jesus compared the act of regeneration to the wind.  You can hear the sound of the wind and the see the effects of the wind, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. 

 

Likewise, you can see the effects of being born again, but you don’t know how it happens, and can’t see it happen.  It is mysterious.  This is regeneration by the Spirit.

 

In 3:9, Nicodemus still couldn’t understand the idea of regeneration or being born again and asked, “How can these things be?”  Therefore, Jesus explained further. 

 

In 3:10, He questioned Nicodemus’ experience.  He was a prominent teacher for the Jews.  Jesus insinuated that he should have known if he knew the Scriptures.  Perhaps, He had Ezekiel 36:25-27 or Joel 2:28-29 in mind.

 

25 Then 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. 26 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. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

 

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward

That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your old men shall dream dreams,

Your young men shall see visions.

29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

 

In 3:11, Jesus was at least including His disciples but also maybe the Godhead.  Nicodemus represented the nation of Israel.  They did not accept the testimony of Christ. 

 

Furthermore, Jesus tried to explain regeneration through earthly analogies like water and wind but didn’t get anywhere.  How would Nicodemus understand spiritual matters like the Trinity or the Incarnation or the Resurrection of Christ?

 

In 3:13, Jesus was talking about Himself having come from heaven to earth and having heaven’s authority.  This verse also speaks to Jesus eternality and His pre-incarnation in heaven. 

 

In verses 14-15, Jesus illustrated the idea of regeneration and salvation from Numbers 21.  God had sent poisonous snakes to punish disobedient Israel, but when Moses lifted up the serpent, and they looked at the serpent, they were healed. 

 

In the same way, when Jesus is lifted up on the cross, and whoever looks to Him in believing faith, that person will be saved, having eternal life in heaven. 

 

 

Conclusion

What is the one single point of Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus?  Every person in this room will one-day die physically.  After you die, you will then spend an eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell.  The decision of where you will spend eternity will be made while you are alive on earth.

 

In order for you to spend eternity in heaven, Jesus says that you must be born again of water and the Spirit through the single act of faith and repentance. This is the one and only way to spend eternity in heaven rather than eternity in hell.

 

This was true for Nicodemus.  It was true for the woman at the well that we will see in the next chapter.  It is true for me and for every person in this room this morning. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters, you must be born again to see and enter God’s kingdom of heaven.  Will you do that this morning through the single act of faith and repentance?