Scripture to Read: John 3:3–8
Jesus wasted no time getting right to the heart of Nicodemus’ problem. We read in John 3:3–8, 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.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Jesus told Nicodemus that everyone must be “born again” to see God’s kingdom. Nicodemus thought Jesus was talking about physical birth at first, but Jesus quickly explained to him that this had nothing to do with one’s physical birth but that it had everything to do with one’s spiritual birth. Being born again is the transformation God causes in our lives, from being dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1–3) to being made alive through our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4–7) when we surrender to Christ as the Lord of our lives.
Challenge & Application
• When Jesus told Nicodemus about the change that must occur in his life, how did he react and why?
• How do most people react when they hear the Gospel of Christ today, and why do so many refuse Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!