The Second Sunday of Lent

February 17, 2008

Nicodemus Born Again

John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. ²He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” ³Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” ⁴Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. ⁶What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is Spirit. ⁷Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ ⁸The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ⁹Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” ¹⁰Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

¹¹”Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. ¹²If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. ¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

¹⁶”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

¹⁷”Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Notes on John 3:1-17

Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and teacher, comes to Jesus to ask him questions. He comes secretly (“by night,” v. 2) because a man of his stature could not be seen consulting Jesus. He has understood from Jesus’ miracles (“signs”) that Jesus is “from God.” But Jesus (in v. 3) tells him that he has not yet understood the main point: to “see the kingdom of God,” spiritual rebirth is required. Nicodemus misunderstands: he thinks Jesus is speaking of biological rebirth (v. 5). Being “born from above” (v. 3) requires being baptized (v. 6).

“Flesh” and “spirit” were seen as constituents of life, of which spirit (breath, wind, pneuma) was the life-giving force. Many things can be seen only in their effect; such is birth in the Spirit (v. 8). Still Nicodemus doesn’t understand: in order for him to do so, he needs to have faith (“receive our testimony,” v. 11). Then, in v. 12, Jesus says: you, Nicodemus, don’t comprehend what can be told in analogies (“earthly things,” i.e. “wind,” v. 8), so how can you possibly believe mysteries?

Vv. 13-17 are a monologue. Only Christ has descended and ascended. The “serpent” (v. 14) is mentioned in Numbers 21:9-11: the people were bitten by poisonous snakes; some died; others became gravely ill. Instructed by God, Moses mounted (“lifted up”) a bronze snake on a pole. Those who looked at this emblem (trusting in God) were healed, lifted up, given life. God in his love provides eternal life to all who believe (v. 16). If you willfully do not believe, you will perish. There is no third alternative! God’s intention is that you believe, rather than be condemned (v. 17).

Reflection Questions:

1. The term “born from above” (3:3) was translated in the old King James Version as “born again” and became a frequently used phrase for understanding what it means to be a Christian. What does the phrase “born again” or “born from above” mean to you? Do the two different translations have different meanings?
2. John 3:16 is also a famous passage in the Bible. What does believing in Christ mean to you?
3. “Eternal Life” is a hard concept for our small minds to fathom. Jesus seemed to be saying that eternity did not begin at death, but right now in our life in relation with Jesus. What do you need to do to in your own life to begin feeling eternity within you?

Prayer

Dear God,

You have birthed us into physical life and now you give birth to us in spiritual life. We are baptized physically in water and spiritually in the Holy Spirit. Never let us fall away from your care.

Never let us take your grace for granted.

Never let us succeed in our belief that we can live without you.

In the name of your only begotten Son in whom we believe,

Amen.