You must be Born Again

Diane Ward

We are citizens of two kingdoms.  Our arrival into the worldly kingdom is validated by a birth certificate; something we don’t want to lose as we are occasionally required to present a record of our birth.  If we have been born again of spirit, our names are recorded in The Lamb’s Book of Life in the heavenly kingdom.  (Revelation 21:27)  Our arrival there will be validated by this record, something we can’t lose, once re-born of spirit.  

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Great Sanhedrin Court, came at night to talk with Jesus. He suspected the young teacher might be the Messiah promised to Israel by God. Together with his friend Joseph of Arimathea Nicodemus lovingly cared for the body of Jesus, placing it in Joseph's tomb.  Nicodemus had observed and acknowledged that no person could perform the miracles of Jesus unless God was with him. Still, with his background of religious leadership, his knowledge of the law and the scripture, he could not comprehend Jesus words, “you must be born again.”  

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  (John 3:6)  

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

I have sometimes wondered if Jesus ended his conversation with Nicodemus telling him, “I am soon going to my Father. Then the Holy Spirit will come like a mighty rushing wind, and many will be re-born.  Then these through the power of the Holy Spirit, will birth many more!"

John 3:1-8  (NIV)