You Must be Born Again
John 3:14–21
The Gospel this week brings us to the fascinating conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus.
In the story, we see a Pharisee who is also a member of the ruling council of the Jews, came to Jesus during the night. He acknowledged that Jesus was a Rabbi from God based on the “signs” that he is doing. What were the signs that Nicodemus was talking about? Did he witness Jesus perform those or he just heard it from other people? At what point in the life of Jesus did this story happen? Apparently, John did not bother to explain these details. So, a more productive approach would be to focus on what is in their conversation.
Jesus told Nicodemus, “no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born from above.” To which Nicodemus replied, “How can anyone be born again after having grown old?” He can’t figure out the words of Jesus.
So, Jesus has to explain what he really means. Being born from above means experiencing spiritual rebirth and discovering the gift of eternal life by believing in the Son of Man (OT reference to the Messiah), who came from the Father in heaven. Just like how the ancient Israelites were saved when they looked upon the snake that Moses lifted up in the desert (Numbers 21:4–9).
Now, this is a profound description of what the Messiah will accomplish. Perhaps another way of understanding the words of Jesus is to know the meaning of the expression, “lifted up.”
Some suggested that the expression is a reference to the way that Jesus will sacrifice his life by dying on the cross. He was literally hanged and lifted up to suffer a quite humiliating and excruciating death to save the world from their sins.
Others see the term in reference to the exaltation and glorification of Jesus after he was resurrected and when he ascended back to the Father in heaven.
On the other hand, being lifted up could be in reference to the underlying Christology of the Johannine community––how they see Jesus as the embodiment of God the Father (chap 1:18), therefore, he deserves the utmost worship and respect. In the words of John the baptist, “[Jesus] must increase, I must decrease (v. 30).”
After Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, John, the writer of this Gospel, stated one of the most profound verses in the Bible, “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 (v. 16).” From here, the writer explains the very reason why the Father has sent his Son and that is to save the world from judgment because his fundamental character is love (Psa 86:15; 145:6).
God is the Father who doesn’t enjoy punishing his creation, rather, he wants to save it by sacrificing his own son, so that those who will believe in him will not die but experience the fullness of life (John 10:10 c.f. 1 John 4:9). Therefore, those who can understand the meaning of Jesus and believe are compared to people who have found the light that gives life to everyone who believes in it. While those who refuse the message of Jesus are compared to people who wish to remain in the dark because they do not want their wickedness to be exposed, hence, the judgment against them remains (John 3:19–21).
In other words, Jesus embodies the loving nature of God who wishes to save people and give them life.
Therefore, to experience this eternal life and the kingdom of God, one simply has to believe in Jesus and give him the honor and glory worthy of someone who has a direct access to the Father’s love.
This has a huge implication for the Church.
If we are true followers of Jesus and worshippers of a loving God who desires to save his creation, we should also manifest the same kind of love to others so that the world will know that we are indeed disciples of Jesus (John 15:12–14) and children of God (John 1:12).
Like Nicodemus, we are being invited by Jesus to come into the light and bring the love of God that conquers death and gives eternal life to those who will believe.
In a world that is full of hate, violence, greed, ungodliness, and deception, the Church is being called to bring the love of God and reflect the light of Christ especially in the darkest night.
