A Curious Man (you Must Be Born Again)

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

A Curious Man (you Must Be Born Again)

Date: Jan. 9, 2024

Passage

John 3:1-15 (ESV)

1 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 are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered 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? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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.’ 8 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.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 3:3

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

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and religious leader. He still had enough humility to acknowledge that Jesus' words spoke truth, even though it challenged his whole world view. His curiosity allowed him to come to Jesus, earnestly, cautiously. Jesus told him, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

To experience the kingdom of God takes nothing less than a rebirth, a revolution of the mind and spirit. To be born of the spirit requires a heart that is open to the transformative power of the spirit. It comes to those who are ready and yearning for it, and in God's time. No one can force it on someone or convince someone; only God's spirit can intervene. This spiritual awakening may feel like a mid-life crisis or something that challenges the foundation of one's understanding, but it really is the greatest gift anyone can receive in life. Like the Israelites, surrounded by snakes in the wilderness, God sends his salvation to those who are looking to him for it.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, may your spirit dawn upon us in our humility and yearning. Give us salvation and new birth into your kingdom.

One Word: One Word: Be born again

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references