2018 Weekly Devotional - Week 50

Week 50

John 3:1-3 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

    The event wasn’t scheduled to happen for another two weeks. Despite that reality, many preparations had been made many weeks in advance. A location had been secured. Competent professionals had been employed to insure all went smoothly. The principle players had strategized, planned, and organized for any scenario. The route was pre-planned, go bags had been aptly supplied and were ready for deployment. The team was ready. Suddenly, and without warning, the call came in the dead of the night. Our first grandchild was coming! We quickly jumped into the truck and headed for the hospital. The three-hour trip passed quickly and we arrived at the hospital in time. Often an event that is so highly anticipated and planned for can be a letdown, but this one certainly wasn’t.

    The birth of a child is always an incredible event. Arriving at the hospital and seeing the joy on the faces of new parents is one of the great privileges of pastoring. We have four children and each of their births is a fantastic memory. But when your child has a child it is a very special occasion indeed. Jesus has taught Nicodemus an incredible truth. He has told Nicodemus that there must be, out of necessity, another birth experienced if anyone is to see the kingdom of God. You can imagine how taken back Nicodemus was. Born again? How could that even physically happen?

    Jesus of course was speaking about spiritual rebirth. Jesus was trying to drive home the radical truth that a relationship with God is not just a matter of putting a better face on things or making some minor adjustments. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in a person changing that person so that the individual is remade. Our thinking, behavior, disposition, allegiance, values, goals, character, everything is born again.

    Just as a physical birth is often a surprise so is the new birth. The Holy Spirit is sovereign and moves when and where He wills. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared! Do we have a plan and a strategy? Have we prepared for it? Are we ready to share the gospel or encourage faith in someone? How about you? Have you been born again? Have you experienced the spiritual rebirth that Jesus is talking about? Admit your sin to God. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the sinless substitute. You must be born again!

In Christ,

John