Light of re-birth

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” –John 3:3 (ESV)

Rules without relationship are tedious at best, and for most, a path to frustration and failure. Nicodemus knew this all too well. As a leading Pharisee, a teacher, and a member of the Jewish high court, he was an expert rule keeper. But he wanted more, and he was hoping the rabbi from Nazareth might be able to show him what that was.

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 3:8 (ESV)

Intelligent and well-educated, Nicodemus would’ve normally had an answer for everything. Now, having an audience with the Son of God, he found himself unsure of what to ask, much less how to answer. But he was intrigued. Jesus was indeed offering more – a re-born life, the work of the Spirit. As Nicodemus struggled to keep up, Jesus spelled it out:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. –John 3:16-17 (ESV)

Then Jesus brought Nicodemus to the moment of “So what?”. There was still something to do, but the motive, the method, and the outcome were all being shifted. “Are you in or out?” Nicodemus would ultimately be in. There was a cost involved, but the Spirit was already in the process of blowing new life into this man.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. –John 3:19-21 (ESV)

There is a lot of darkness in our world, and many who prefer it. Scattered among them are “people of peace”, as Jesus referred to them. Like Nicodemus, they have found life as a rule keeper unfulfilling – they are not in search of better rules. Like Nicodemus, they are looking for something bigger than themselves, a reason to believe. Like Nicodemus, they are likely to show up after hours, not even knowing what to ask. When they cross our path, we have to show them before we gain the right to tell them. Watch and pray for those opportunities.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

(Image by Delawer Omar)