There are many life-changing statements that Jesus made that have been recorded in the New Testament Bible, especially in the Book of John. Those statements are usually preceded by questions (or conversations) and given as a response to the questioners.
For instance, when Martha was seeking Jesus in desperation after the death of her brother, Lazarus, Jesus responded to her with a remarkable claim: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25).
When Jesus was teaching in the Mount of Olives, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. After resolving the matter, Jesus declared to the crowd, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
After the last supper with His disciples, on the night before His crucifixion, the disciples were troubled and asking Jesus questions about where He was going. In response to Thomas’ question, Jesus revealed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7).
In another occasion, the Pharisees and Jews were questioning Jesus’ identity and in disbelief they said that His testimony was not true, accusing Jesus of making the claims about Himself. In response to their questions and accusations, Jesus declared, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58).
All these “I AM” statements have actually identified Jesus as LORD (Yahweh), therefore making Him parallel with the God who said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14).
There is one more example of Jesus’ profound statement that I would like to focus on in this article.
We can find it in John 3, when Nicodemus, a man of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night, confessing that Jesus is a teacher who has come from God and that His [abilities in performing] signs and miracles have demonstrated that God is with Him (John 3:2).
Jesus responded to Nicodemus with a somewhat surprising answer: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3).
At glance, this statement does not seem to answer or connect to what Nicodemus said to Jesus, however here Jesus was revealing [or teaching] something very profound and personal to Nicodemus, whom Jesus described as ‘the teacher of Israel’ (John 3:10).
Jesus explained further, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5).
These statements obviously baffled Nicodemus as he thought of being born again as a physical (natural, biological) process so it is impossible for someone to enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born (John 3:4). (And honestly if I were Nicodemus, I would likely have thought the same…)
Now, if we sum up Jesus’ statements above, we will come to this remarkable claim: No one can see and enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again of water and the Spirit. In other words, everyone who wants to see and enter the kingdom of God must be born again of water and the Spirit.
Is this really true? Well, if we believe that Jesus is God, then everything He has said must be true.
So now, how can we explain this truth? Let’s unpack into three parts: (1) the kingdom of God, (2) born again, (3) water and the Spirit.
The Kingdom of God
Scripture tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of earthly pleasures (eating and drinking), but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Also, the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power [i.e., living by God’s power] (1 Corinthians 4:20). Combined together, seeking and entering the kingdom of God means living in divine righteousness, peace, and joy by God’s power—by the work of God’s Spirit in us—as Christ’s believers and followers. Jesus Himself revealed that we must give God’s kingdom and His righteousness a top priority over all our earthly cares (Matthew 6:33) in order to live a worry-free, peaceful, and joyful life. If this kingdom of God is our utmost goal in life, then we must first be born again.
Born Again
We are all born of flesh and blood. We are all a ‘product’ of biological (sexual) process. Yet it is mysterious to us how we came into being (although scientists may be able to explain some of the process or mechanism, we are all still left amazed by the complexity of each process, from conception to birth). Perhaps this was in King David’s mind when he wrote Psalm 139:13-16. Moreover, we also don’t know exactly the circumstances or conditions around which we were conceived and surrounding our birth. We don’t know if/how our parents were struggling (physically, emotionally, financially, etc.) when we were in our mother’s womb, and, sadly, some of us might have experienced rejections even before our birth. Growing up, some of us might have also struggled with some mental challenges or emotional turbulences. These are all the consequences of sin (Romans 3:23, Psalm 53:2-3). So, it only makes sense that if we are to enter the kingdom of God, who is holy and perfect, we must not carry our sins into His presence. We must be born again (spiritually) of water and the Spirit.
Water and the Spirit
Water and the Spirit are both cleansing (sanctifying) agents. In Christianity, water can represent baptism, which symbolizes repentance from an old life (or conversion into a new being). Baptism is an outward (public) declaration of an inward (private) transformation. In this regard, Scripture tells us two important lessons (according to what Paul the Apostle wrote) as follows:
- Jesus would sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water by the Word [of God]. (Ephesians 5:26).
- God saved us in His mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7).
Can you see the consistency of what Jesus said and of what Paul wrote? Water and the Spirit are essential for our spiritual birth.
Further, let us learn more from Jesus. He promises that everyone who believes in Him, out of his [or her] heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38). Only Jesus can satisfy the deepest longing [hunger and thirst] of our hearts by His Word and His Spirit.
Remarkably, Jesus also gives us a contrast between the Spirit and the flesh:
- He reveals that the Spirit gives life, while the flesh profits nothing. The words of Jesus are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63).
- He declares that the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41).
So, what does all this mean to us now?
We, humans, are mortal beings born in flesh and in desperate need for salvation (i.e., eternal life in the kingdom of God). Jesus has provided the answer [solution] to our helplessness: we need to be born again. That is the only way that we can see and enter God’s kingdom.
Jesus invites us to a second, spiritual, supernatural birth [that is made possible] through His Word and His Spirit (as He revealed to Nicodemus, the teacher of the law). By the way, it was also to Nicodemus that Jesus made a profound and popular claim—perhaps the most popular verse in the Bible—as recorded in John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
You may feel anger, disappointment, frustration, bitterness, and any other painful emotions because of what you experienced in the past. You can’t really explain why you are addicted to certain things that are slowly ruining your lives, why you do what you shouldn’t, and why you don’t do what you should. You feel like you need someone to break your chains. You feel like you need to start your life over again (and guess what, it’s much better than to end your life where you are now).
Well, my friends, I’ve been there and I know the feelings!
Let me tell you now, just as I have experienced it myself, that there is HOPE in God. He has saved me from myself, so He is able to do the same for you. It is truly His amazing GRACE that saves a wretch like me.
This hope is found in Jesus Christ.
As you put your faith in Him, you will become a new person, as written: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You are precious to God and He does not want anyone to perish. Therefore, He provides the sacrificial Lamb for our sins—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)—so you and I can have everlasting life with God in His kingdom if we accept His love offering.
My friends, this earthly life is momentary—it is like a mist/vapor (James 4:14). Our achievements are soon to be forgotten. Our riches will not go with us forever. Jesus told His disciples what really matters and [should be] the true reason of our joy and fulfillment: “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20).
Here is the good news: you could start a relationship with God now! You could be reborn into God’s family—and into His kingdom—here on earth. (I would delightfully share this news as if today was my last day here on this side of eternity.)
So, what are you waiting for? Do you really want to see and enter the kingdom of God? Do you hope to be with God forever in everlasting joy and peace? It is now your choice to either accept or reject God’s offering for your salvation! Remember that salvation is a gift from God, freely given by His grace to all who put their faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8).
So, how can we be born again?
We are born again as we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, the One true God.
Scripture tells us plainly, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9).
My friends, we might never have a chance to meet and talk to each other in this brief life here on earth, but it would be my honor to lead you in a prayer that would have a lasting impact for you and even your family and loved ones.
So, if you are now ready to be reborn into God’s family, and if it is really your heart’s desire to see and enter God’s kingdom, you can pray this with me as you surrender your life to Jesus Christ:
“Dear God, I come before You today with a humble heart and surrender my life to You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. I believe that He died on the cross as a payment for my own sin and He rose from death. God, I confess that I am a sinner and today I repent and turn from my old way of life. Because of Your mercy and grace I am now forgiven and born again into Your family. Today I ask for new life in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You God for forgiving me and making me a brand new person. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Further readings:
Pearls of Mind 