Reflection on John 3:1-15

Scripture

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”

Observation

A Pharisee called Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night time. Nicodemus says that he can see that Jesus’ miracles are a sign that God is with Him. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again in order to see God’s kingdom.

Nicodemus can’t understand this phrase, so Jesus explains that we must be born of the Holy Spirit to have spiritual life. Just as we can’t see what drives the wind, we cannot see how the Spirit works. As Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the wilderness, so too will Jesus be lifted up to bring eternal life to people.

Application

We can only enter into eternal life by being born again. People can reproduce biological life, which is quite a miracle in itself. But spiritual life, eternal life, can only come through the Holy Spirit.

This means that we cannot force anybody into the Kingdom. It is between them and the Holy Spirit. Clever selling techniques, evangelism programs, incentives to attend church services, and the like will bear no fruit unless a person is born of the Holy Spirit.

It also means that we cannot force our own way into the kingdom. Whether by determination, good works, or by playing the role of the good christian, we cannot prove ourselves worthy of eternal life. Our spirits must be born of the Holy Spirit.

At the heart of salvation we must have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be born again.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the gift of eternal life. Thank you for causing me to be born of the Holy Spirit. Amen.