From today’s reading of John 3:1-8

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus 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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:1-8

The first thing that might jar you about this episode is that Jesus ignores Nicodemus’ opening greeting and his, I believe sincere, gracious compliment and cuts directly to the chase. “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Born again!

There is a term some people use when attempting a positive change in their lives: “I’m turning over a new leaf”. But what Jesus is describing doesn’t sound like turning over a new leaf, does it? Leaves are small, and if you are a tree – let’s really immerse ourselves in the metaphor here – you have lots of them. It’s quite easy to turn a leaf over (and over, and over, and over again). I do it all the time.

Jesus isn’t talking about leaves. He’s not suggesting making a Big Change in your life, or having him come be a part of your life, or – as pastors used to say back when they thought reminding people of their day to day corporate jobs was a good idea (it wasn’t, btw) – “letting Jesus be CEO of your life”.

This isn’t like starting a new exercise program, or taking up ballroom dancing, or reading more, or taking a class, or doing any one of the thousand things we do to try and improve our lives.

No, we have to be born again. What on earth could this mean? I’ve personally been blessed to witness four births; They are four of the most important events in my life, right up there in the top seven if you include my wedding, my salvation, and, I suppose, my own physical birth. New birth is amazing. It’s messy; it involves so many firsts: first breaths, first cry, first sight in a bright new world. It’s painful and, for those observing it, it is terrifying and joyful and holy and exhilarating all at the same time.

One thing it’s not is a small, steady improvement in womb-life. No baby thinks “I think today I’ll turn over a new leaf and be born”.

This is new life Jesus is talking about. It’s not turning over a new leaf, it’s becoming a new leaf. I don’t know who first said it, but the following statement revolutionized my thinking: Jesus didn’t come to make bad men good, he came to make dead men alive.

We have to be born of water and the Spirit. What could this mean? There are many interpretations, but I believe Jesus is talking about being both cleansed and indwelt. When we come to Jesus we are washed with the water of forgiveness and with his righteousness that he graciously gives to us, and we are indwelt by his Holy Spirit. This is a new life, and only those living this life are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We were dead in our trespasses and sins and God has raised us to life. Isn’t that amazing?

This is a life controlled no longer by our sinful flesh but by the Spirit of God. This is an abundant life, full of surprises and the mystery of God’s will which is like a wind that may blow us only God knows where. As we wonder at and meditate and awe in this love that we have been given and are compelled to give away to others, this should never cease to blow us away.

This is living! Thanks be to God for his great mercy and grace and to our Lord Jesus Christ, our savior and hero.