Born Again

The Story

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council of the Jews. He was respected, educated, and religious. And one night, he came to see Jesus.

Why at night? The Bible doesn’t say. Perhaps he didn’t want the other leaders to see him.

He began politely. “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.”

Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was confused. “How can a man be born when he is old?”

Jesus explained that He was talking about a spiritual birth. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Like the wind, you can’t see the Spirit, but you can see what He does.

Then Jesus spoke the words that have become the most famous verse in the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Later in John’s Gospel, after the crucifixion, Nicodemus came out of the shadows. He brought about a hundred pounds of spices and helped Joseph of Arimathea bury the body of Jesus.

Reflection