New Life in Christ (John 3:1-16)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, the most dedicated and religious of all the Jewish people. In today’s world, we might call a good Catholic or a good Christian. Nicodemus was circumcised on the eighth day, just as our good Christian was baptized as an infant. His parents took him to synagogue and temple, as the parents of our good Christian went to Sunday school and church. He had his bar mitzvah at age 12. Our good Christian was confirmed at about the same age. As an adult, he continued to go to synagogue and temple and was sure to say his prayers. So too, our good Christian went weekly to church, said the prayers, and received communion whenever it was offered. Both Nicodemus and our good Christian gave tithes of all they earned and took care of the poor and needy who lived among them.

But Nicodemus and our good Christian have not yet had an encounter with God. John Wesley called such, almost Christians. They have done everything their church has called them to do. They are good people in the ordinary sense, as the world sees things. They are expecting to enter heaven because they have done all the right things. By their good works, they believe that they deserve to spend eternity in heaven with God. But all our good works will not earn us a place in heaven. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3) Nothing we do can make us born again. To be born again is an act of God, an act of his mercy and grace.

Nicodemus went to Jesus to find out more about what our Lord was teaching. What happened is that he had an encounter with God. He began his encounter with a very honorable greeting, 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. (John 3:2) Jesus knew that the ruler of the Jews was there to test Him. But Jesus looked into the man’s soul to discover what he really needed. He did not need more information about Jesus. He did not need to know more about Jesus. Nicodemus needed to know God, intimately, completely, and fully. Not just in religious practices but in his innermost being. Nicodemus needed to be born again.