Reflecting on John 3:1-21“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
The literal wording here is ‘born from above’.
We need divine help to see and experience the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus has just expressed confidence in Jesus, as sent from God.
Is Jesus encouraging him, saying ‘you didn’t know this by yourself’?
In other words: ‘because you see this in me, I know God is working in you!’
When someone expresses an openness to Jesus, the Spirit of God is at work.
Even if they don’t realize it, or understand it, God is still working.
As Nicodemus’s mind (flesh) grapples with Jesus, the Spirit is birthing something.
I used to see this line (‘you must be born again’) as a warning.
Now I see this as an affirmation, an encouragement to a seeker.
If someone comes to me wondering about Jesus, this must be ‘from above’.
We can’t figure out when, where and how we are born again.
But just being open to Jesus, seeking to know Him more, is proof of the Spirit.
We need to be more encouraging and positive with seekers, and not be hard on them.
Truly Jesus says to us, their seeking is a sign of the Spirit birthing life in them!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, for the first time I see these words as an encouragement to me and to all Jesus seekers. Our struggle and questioning is NOT a sign that we are not born again. Rather it is a sign that the Spirit of God IS at work, birthing faith and life in us! May I continue to be 'born from above!'