John 3:1-21
Nicodemus was an influential man, one of 71 members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish legislative and judicial council). He was also a religious man, a Pharisee, who had been thoroughly trained in Jewish law and theology. Those belonging to the sect of the Pharisees were known for their strict piety and observance to the Law but many of those whom Jesus met were self-righteous and hypocritical – and He was not afraid to tell them so.
The majority of the Pharisees dismissed Jesus as “ungodly” because the things that He said and did were not what they liked or expected; He did not tick their religious boxes. However, Nicodemus could not bring Himself to reject Jesus out of hand. He recognised that no one could teach like Jesus did, and perform miracles as He did, unless He was close to God. Nicodemus had a lot to lose by letting his Pharisee friends see that he was intrigued by Jesus, so he came to meet with Him secretly, after dark, to try and understand what Jesus knew that he did not.
In the ensuing conversation Jesus talked to him about his need to be born again of the Spirit. Nicodemus was trying to earn his way to heaven by his good works. He had not understood that external obedience to the Law was never going to change the fallen sinful nature he had inherited from Adam. Like all of us he needed an internal transformation that could only be obtained by believing in the One whom God had sent from heaven to be our Rescuer – Jesus Himself.
Nicodemus struggled to understand these things because they cannot be perceived by the natural human mind but only by the Spirit. We are not told how he responded to the truths Jesus explained to him. However, it seems likely that he went away and pondered on them, because we find him again at the end of John’s gospel helping Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39-40). It is likely that He did indeed humble himself to receive the new birth Jesus offered and went on to become one of the disciples who founded the Church.
Maybe you are in the same position as Nicodemus, trying to earn God’s approval by going to church and doing good deeds? Or maybe you are someone who got tired of trying to be good enough and has given up? Jesus would say to you what He said to Nicodemus – “You need to be born again”. It is as simple as recognising that, because you have a sinful nature you can never please God by your own efforts, and choosing instead to receive Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. When we do that, we may not feel different immediately but we can be sure that God sees us differently. The moment we receive Jesus, we are credited with His righteousness and accepted into God’s family, so we no longer need to strive. In addition, we are spiritually regenerated; the life of Christ is placed inside us so that we are able to function as the spiritual beings God created us to be.
John 1:12-13 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
If you want to be born again you can be. Just say this simple prayer.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I recognise that however good or bad the life I have lived in my own strength it is not enough to save me from slavery to sin and Satan. I thank You that You love this world so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, into this world to rescue us and reunite us with Yourself. I choose now to receive Jesus into my life as my Saviour and Lord. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to live for You.
Amen.
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