“’How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their Mother’s womb to be born!’” John 3:4
When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, Nicodemus must have known that He was speaking symbolically. I’m sure somewhere deep in his heart, however, it was beginning to dawn on him that maybe Jesus was right. Nicodemus knew that in spite of his religion and his righteousness that he was a sinner…flawed just like everyone else. Don’t we all know this about ourselves?
In John 3:4 Nicodemus questions, “How can someone be born when they are old?” But I think what he was really saying is something that almost everyone who has lived past the age of 30 has thought at one time or another, “I wish I had a do-over. I wish I could rewind the tape. I wish I could live my life again knowing what I know now. I wish I could put my life in reverse. I wish I could erase some of my past.”
What Jesus was saying to Nicodemus was something he never dreamed was possible; and He is saying the same thing to us today, “You need a new start with a new heart, but instead of depending on yourself to make it happen, you have got to depend on God.” Think about your physical birth. What did you have to do with it? Absolutely nothing. You didn’t ask to be born or choose where you were born. You didn’t pick your birthday or what family you were born into. All of that was done for you. In the same way, new birth is something only God can give you.
A spiritual birth certificate can only be issued by God. It isn’t a legal document; it is the Lord’s document. A physical birth certificate is necessary for this world; a spiritual birth certificate is necessary for the next world. The only way you can get into this physical world is by a physical birth. The only way you can get into the spiritual world is by a spiritual birth.
There is only one way to have a relationship with the Creator of this world and that is by being spiritually born again. If you want to be part of God’s family, enter God’s Kingdom, and enjoy God’s presence, you are dependent on a spiritual birth certificate.
Dear Lord, thank you for dying for me so that I might be born again and have new life in you. Help me not to live in my old ways, but for it to be obvious that I have been spiritually born again and have surrendered my life to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Topics: Salvation
