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 Jesus 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 be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

Have you ever heard someone ask, “What does it mean to be born again?” Had Nicodemus possessed Unger’s Bible Dictionary, he could have read: “The new birth is a creative life-giving operation of the Holy Spirit upon a lost human soul, whereby in response to faith in Christ crucified, the believing one, ‘dead in… trespasses and sins’ (Eph. 2:1), is quickened into spiritual life and made a partaker of the divine nature and of the life of Christ Himself.” Of course, Unger’s Bible Dictionary was not available in Nicodemus’ day. Nevertheless, Nicodemus had the supreme opportunity to speak directly to Jesus Himself! Jesus knew everything about the new birth.

There have been numerous ideas as to why Nicodemus would have visited Jesus at night. Possibly, he knew that Jesus was busy with scores of people during the day. It might also be that Nicodemus wanted to conceal his own identity, being that he was a “ruler of the Jews,” and thought to be already knowledgeable of all Biblical and spiritual things.

Jesus then demonstrated the difference between man’s natural and spiritual birth by saying: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Whether Nicodemus ever accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior is unknown. We can only hope and trust that he did. More importantly, is whether you have accepted Him. And if you have, whether you have shared Him with others. Oh, by the way, it doesn’t have to be only at night.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom