John 3: 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
There are lots of things the disciples didn’t understand. We know more than they did because we have the New Testament. The disciples were becoming the New Testament each day. Remember Thomas was concerned. Jesus had told them let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas didn’t understand. He asked Jesus how they would know the way. Jesus answered I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. It was simple. Jesus was saying we don’t have to figure it out. We don’t know when our end will be so we need to know the Way.
In John 3 we find Nicodemus, a religious man asking Jesus questions. He followed Judaism, set up by God but mixed up by the leaders of the day. Jesus told him except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. Nicodemus knew the teachings of Jesus were different. It was not opposite of what the scriptures he knew said. He couldn’t make it add up in his mind. Nicodemus knew Jesus could help but he didn’t know for sure if he was right with God or not.
It’s not enough to be raised in church or have a mom and dad who are saved. Nicodemus realized something was missing in his heart. He didn’t know what it was. He believed God but his heart was empty. That’s why Jesus told him except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Just like Thomas asked how, Nicodemus asked how. People are all sinners because of the fall of man. Nicodemus was a Pharisee but just then realized he was a sinner. We’ve all sinned—been bitten by the old serpent of sin. In the wilderness serpents bit the people of Israel and they couldn’t help themselves. God told Moses to put up a brazen serpent and when the people looked on it in faith they were healed. Jesus told Nicodemus that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus had to be lifted up too. Nicodemus was one of the first to hear about the crucifixion.
We’ve all been bitten by sin and the devil. If we believe on him we will not perish. In verse 16 Jesus said 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. Whosoever includes you and me. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Be saved—be born again—it’s possible to know where you stand with God. You know your spiritual condition. If you have not trusted him, come to Jesus. All you have to do is admit to the Lord that you’re a sinner with a lost, empty heart. Admit you need to be saved. You can’t do it yourself. Call on Jesus. Believe what he did for you so you could have a Savior. You’ll have everlasting life. If you come in faith and ask him, Jesus will save you.
When Jesus died Mary had no place to take him. Who stepped up? Nicodemus with Joseph of Arimathea. Why was he there? He had been born again. Jesus will do the same for you. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead and is alive for evermore. He has the power to hear you and save you.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 