The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 3:1-7, “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;

2 this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”

Nicodemus was a ruling member of the Sanhedrin, the court system of the Jews. He was also a Pharisee, a religious-political group that sometimes bent the Scriptures to fit their ideas. Furthermore, Nicodemus was extremely wealthy, some say the wealthiest man in Jerusalem. It was this same Nicodemus, who was seeking spiritual answers that only Jesus could provide.

There are various ideas by writers as to why Nicodemus came by night. The most logical reason is that he knew that Rabbis did their scriptural studies at night. In any event, Nicodemus was polite and commenced his interview with a valid compliment, “You have come from God…” Jesus knew what was in Nicodemus’ mind and heart and answered his question almost before he could ask it. “You must be born again.” Literally, Jesus said, “You must be born from above.” Nicodemus understood only the physical birth; he had never known what “from above” meant. In fact, he might never have heard of it previously.

Jesus spoke to him of being “born of water and the Spirit.” Children are encased in what could be called a “water sack” prior to being born. That’s what “water” means in this passage. The “spiritual birth” is activated by the Holy Spirit when He enters into a human life at salvation. He turns from sin and accepts Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior. Literally, “born again” is translated “born from above.”

This whole encounter has often been confused by those who want “water” to always mean “baptism.” It does not mean that here. Had baptism been the focus of Nicodemus inquiry, he could have asked John. It was deeper than that. Some people are immersed in water without first confessing their sins. That is not true baptism. Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we confess our sins, we bury them, put them away completely. Unless the burial of sin comes first, the immersion in water is meaningless. Where are you in all of this? Have you been “born from Above”? That’s what Jesus sald was necessary for Nicodemus. It’s necessary for you a well. Think about it. It’s how you answer Christ’s invitation.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”