John 3:7,8 The Lord Jesus Teaches a Religious Leader
the Necessity of Being Born Again
Beloved Congregation. Last Lord’s Day we saw how that the Lord Jesus
taught His followers the necessity of building one’s spiritual house upon a solid
foundation by the telling of the parable of the two builders. Both houses of
these individuals were very similar as far as the externals were concerned that
meet the eye. The true difference between the two was only to be seen when
the storms came upon these two houses. Then it became apparent that there
was a vast difference between the house of the first builder and the second.
The house of the foolish builder did not last but collapsed because it had not
been built upon a solid foundation. The wise man’s house however stood firm,
because it was founded upon solid rock. From this short, but very telling
parable we are taught that our spiritual house, our real and only hope for
eternity must rest, beloved, upon a solid foundation as well.
Well now, let us consider these things from the well known words of our
text under the following theme, THE LORD JESUS TEACHES A
RELIGIOUS LEADER THE NECESSITY OF BEING BORN AGAIN. In
the first place let us consider A Self Assured Inquirer. Secondly, let us regard
An Inquisitive Inquirer. In the third place let us examine A Divinely
Instructed Inquirer.
In the first place let us consider A Self Assured Inquirer. Congregation,
the life of the Pharisee Nicodemus has a certain amount of mystique about it
doesn’t it? The reason for this is because, for one thing, here was a Pharisee
that did not seem to set out to openly challenge the Lord Jesus in His teachings
and claims. But rather, here was a man who was so intrigued by all that he had
seen and heard concerning this traveling preacher that he sought to meet with
the Lord under the cover of darkness, at night. To add to the mystery
surrounding this individual is the fact that he, who was a teacher in Israel,
showed so much ignorance when it came to understanding anything about the
Kingdom of Heaven the Lord Jesus had come to bring. Really, when you think
about it, congregation, this Master in Israel, as the Lord Jesus called him later
on, was building his spiritual house upon a false foundation. Let us then seek
to understand how the Lord Jesus sought to bring this well educated man to
knowledge of the truth as he needed to know it for the well being of his soul.
Who was this man, Nicodemus? Verse 1 tells us that he was a man of the
Pharisees, a ruler of the Jews. This means then that Nicodemus was one of the
educated members of society, learned in many respects so that he also became
a ruler over a synagogue. We would say that he was the chief teacher of a
religious Jewish order. This means that the members of a synagogue
recognized leadership qualities in this man as well as aptness to teach others.
And so it is no wonder that the Lord also refers to him as a Master in Israel,
although it was in a negative way due to his lack of true spiritual insight.
Now, this man went out to meet with the Lord Jesus in the evening hours
of the day. Not a few Biblical scholars say that he did this to avoid slander
upon his character as well as to prevent open controversy with respect to the
Lord Jesus’ ministry. Whether this is true or not we cannot be sure of. For this
interview took place early on in Christ’s ministry. But one thing is sure.
Nicodemus wanted the opportunity to speak with the Lord Jesus alone so that
he might come to clearer insights as to what he ought to make of him. As verse
23 of Chapter 2 points out, many in Jerusalem began to believe in Christ’s
name because of the many miracles which He performed. On that basis,
Nicodemus would investigate Christ’s teaching and testimony for himself.
That cannot be done in a better way than by a one on one interview.
Just listen to how he starts, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come
from God, for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be
with him. In the first place, Nicodemus calls the Lord Jesus “rabbi”. While
this may sound quite honoring in our ears, by this term he is giving the Lord
the position of a travelling preacher with a following and nothing more. While
this is totally unheard of in our day, this was not an uncommon thing in the
Biblical era. And so Nicodemus regarded the Lord as nothing more than a
travelling preacher with his own particular brand of teaching. But just listen
again how this ruler in Israel states this, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher
come from God. Yes, congregation, Nicodemus associates himself with the
prevailing thought of his own kind, the sect of the Pharisees. They have come
to the conclusion that, well, this new travelling preacher is from God. Why?
Because of His insight and wisdom? No. But only because of the
demonstration of His power, because of His miracles.
No, Nicodemus nor the other Pharisees know anything about true
religion. Really, Nicodemus does not know what he is talking about. He
thinks he has to agree that well, yes, the Lord Jesus experiences the favor of
God for otherwise He would not be able to perform the miracles He does. But
in this confession he is no different from the people at large as we saw from
Chapter 2:23. And, moreover he seeks to hide himself in the communal
understanding of the sect of which he is a part. He does not dare to lay open
and bare the thought of his own heart at this time. He seeks to shield himself
behind the thoughts of his own kind. It is much safer that way you see.
Human nature is easily frightened and intimidated to set forth their own
personal views, especially when it is before some authority. It is more difficult
to stand upon your own personal observations and beliefs. It is far easier is to
put forth the ideas of a group and to agree with a communal thought. But
Christ saw through Nicodemus’ life; He saw that it was full of thorns and
thistles that were choking the good seed of the Gospel in his heart, leaving no
room for it.
We know, Nicodemus said. By these words this inquirer makes two
mistakes. Firstly, he tries to camouflage his own thoughts concerning the
Lord’s ministry. It is much easier to hide behind the thoughts of the majority
way of thinking. That way a person can mask his or her own thoughts and no
one can charge them with anything. In the second place, when Nicodemus
declares We know, he is speaking beyond the real meaning of these words. Oh
yes, the Lord Jesus’ miracles, or signs, as the original reads, definitely point to
something unusual, no doubt about that. But, that they were really from God,
no, the Pharisees were not really willing to admit that. Nicodemus is hiding
behind a general truth of which he really is not convinced, but through which
he would seek to find out from the Lord how things really stand. No,
Nicodemus cannot be regarded as a sincere inquirer at this point.
Well now, how is that with us, congregation, with you and me? For
example, Why have you come to the house of God this morning? What is the
real object of your being here? Is it to just meet family, friends and relations?
Are some in church because they hope to hear something novel and entirely
new? Or, are you here because it is the thing to do and even must do because
of your parents? This is a serious question that you and I must seek to answer
before the Lord. Are there any in our midst who have come up to the house of
God with the prayer, O Lord remember me in grace, Let me salvation see; The
grace Thou showest to Thy saints, That grace reveal to me. Oh, if there is one
thing which the Lord does when He begins to work in a sinner’s heart it is to
make him or her honest before the Lord. And that is what the Lord also does in
the life of Nicodemus as we shall see. Which brings us to our second point, An
Inquisitive Inquirer.
In verse 3 we are given the Lord’s answer to Nicodemus’ inquiry to Him.
While it is not my object to focus directly on the answer the Lord gives to him
we will of course deal with it when we come to the actual words of our text.
But first of all notice how the Lord begins His answer. He says, Verily, verily I
say unto you. Now, when the Lord uses such strong terms, that means He is
really in earnest about something. It is of utmost importance. A direct
translation of the Greek original is, Amen, Amen, meaning so be it, so be it.
And what is it that is so important and really true? Well, precisely those well
known words, Ye must be born again. In Revelation 3:14 the Lord Jesus
Himself is called the “Amen”. By Him all things exist; through Him
everything has its being. Well now, here the Lord Jesus speaks to a Master in
Israel of the need to be re-created, to born again.
Well now, how will Nicodemus react to these unique words? Will he just
dismiss them and continue with his own thoughts? No, Nicodemus does not.
But, his curiosity has been raised. Yes, congregation, drawn by God the
Father, his interest has been stirred and with a new desire he wishes to know
more about this whole new idea concerning the new birth. Maybe some of you
children know how Nicodemus answered the Lord Jesus. He said, must a man
enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? No, this Pharisee did
not know anything at all about what the Lord Jesus was speaking about. A man
cannot become a small baby and be born again into this world, can he? That’s
just impossible. Nicodemus expects a negative answer to his question. And in
one sense he is right. A man cannot re-enter his mother’s womb so that he can
be born again. And yet, He must be born again! He must be made a new
creature. For that which is born of the flesh, is flesh. That means that the
natural life of mankind is of this earth and as such has no place in God’s
Kingdom.
You see, all that is of this earth is earthy. That which is sinful will beget
a sinful posterity. And no unrighteous person will be given an entrance into the
Kingdom of Heaven. And therefore except a man be born again, he can in no
wise receive admittance into God’s Kingdom. That’s an impossibility. And
therefore the Lord goes on to say, That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. A
man cannot enter the Kingdom except he be born from above. Now, we can
imagine puzzled Nicodemus’ face filled with amazement as he hears these
words. No he does not understand a thing about it. And as the Lord Jesus
speaks he sees that this travelling Rabbi is in earnest and means every word
that He says. And so the Lord Jesus, knowing his thoughts continues, Marvel
not that I said unto you that you must be born again.
Yes, congregation, as learned as he was, Nicodemus understood nothing
of what the Lord Jesus spake to him. He is just filled with amazement at
Christ’s words. Don’t forget, congregation, he is regarded as one of the
spiritual elite. If there would be anyone who would be given entrance into
God’s Kingdom, then it must be he and his counter parts, at least, that’s what
he thought. But now the Lord breaks the bubble in his way of thinking. That’s
not true at all. You see, the Pharisees thought that because Israel was a nation
favored by God, the Lord would promote His Kingdom through her. Wouldn’t
the promised Messiah ascend the throne of His father David? But the spiritual
deficiencies of the nation were preventing the blossoming of that empire. Now,
if the religious influence of the Pharisees could only be spread all over the land,
then surely the Kingdom of God would make its appearance among them. The
nation needs to improve herself morally so that she may receive her king. But
that is all they thought would be necessary. A little bit of outward reformation
would be sufficient. Yes then Israel would be ready to meet her King. Then
she could throw off the yoke of the Romans.
And so it is no wonder that Nicodemus is filled with amazement. For the
Lord Jesus speaks of the revelation of God’s Kingdom in such different terms
than he is accustomed to speak of it. Only a select few would be given an
entrance in this Kingdom according to Christ. Moreover it is neither a seen or
unseen realm but is spiritual in nature. Yes the Kingdom of Christ would be
entirely different from any which had appeared upon the earth. Did this
Kingdom then mean the end of Israel? Would the people called after God’s
name not have a part in it? Or even worse, would this mean the end of Israel’s
special place in the world? Oh, so many questions which need to be answered
for Nicodemus. The Lord Jesus’ talk concerning His Kingdom was on such a
different plain that Nicodemus is intrigued by it all and filled with holy wonder.
How can these things be? Must a man enter the second time in his mother’s
womb? No, this demand to be born again, to be given a new heart, yes a whole
new principle in one’s life is just beyond the Pharisee’s understanding; he
cannot come to grips with it. Turning over a new leaf is not sufficient but
mankind must become an entirely new creature. That was beyond Nicodemus’
ability to understand.
But the question remains, congregation, do we understand it, who know it
so well, intellectually speaking? Concerning Nicodemus, the Lord Jesus says,
Marvel not! Do not be amazed. Well now, have we ever been filled with holy
wonder that the Lord is willing to have dealings with any sinners as we are?
Realize well, that to be given entrance into God’s Kingdom, all things have to
be made new in your life. The Lord must also make a new beginning with you,
no matter how refined you may be. For He must change that stony heart of
yours into a heart of flesh, really. For that natural heart of yours is dead, dead
in trespasses and sins and therefore needs to be made alive by which you are
made into a new creature. Has this truth ever intrigued you, my friend? Has it
ever weighed heavily upon your heart? Has the Lord ever created in your life a
longing, a need for something different so that you became dissatisfied with the
outward shell of religion. You see, while you may be brought up in the church
and be taught some basic truths from the Bible concerning sin and grace, that is
not true religion! Nicodemus had much Biblical knowledge. But he did not
know the power of God in his heart and life. And so he lacked everything and
still remained outside of God’s Kingdom. And so do you, my friend, except
you are born from above.
Oh, that the Lord would work in many a soul a longing for the fulfillment
of these things in their hearts! Oh, that a holy restlessness would fill those
souls that are still estranged from God their Maker. How imperative it is that
the Lord fill the hearts of you who are content with the shell of religion. How
imperative it is that you be given a holy desire and longing to know the real
truth concerning God’s Kingdom and His ways. Oh that by the Spirit’s grace
and power, sinners might learn to marvel that they are still in the land of the
living and that the Lord supplies their needs again and again. That is so
necessary will it be well for your soul. For you cannot die in the same way you
have been born, that is for certain. And therefore, children, and older ones in
our midst, pray to the Lord that He give you that new heart by which you too
may be born from above. Which brings us to our third thought, A Divinely
Instructed Inquirer.
The Lord Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus concerning a heavenly
Kingdom which required the rebirth to partake of it had peaked his interest. In
this way he was being drawn by the Lord to Himself. And so, when the Lord
had fully engaged his attention He began to unfold what this new birth was all
about. The Lord Jesus compares this to the actions of the wind. The wind
bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the
Spirit. By using these words the Lord Jesus emphasizes the great difference
between Himself and mankind. He had said to Nicodemus, You must be born
from above. Only in this way could he given entrance into the Lord’s
Kingdom. For He is from above as well. Just think of how the Lord told Pilate
at His interrogation that His Kingdom was not of this world. And so to
understand this Kingdom, to be made a partaker of it requires a divine work.
And that work the Lord Jesus compares to the wind.
You see, congregation, there is a vast difference between God’s Kingdom
itself and mankind who hears about it because it is not of this earth. It is of a
completely different sort, far above this temporal life. Because man is of this
earth, by nature he cannot see God’s Kingdom, much less gain entrance into it.
A principle, radical change must take place in your life to do so. An entirely
new, very different life must be born in one’s life. A spiritual new birth is
necessary for anyone to discern the spiritual Kingdom of God. Only through a
holy, divine rebirth can anyone be made a citizen of the Lord’s Kingdom and
realm. That requires the divine, mysterious work of the Spirit of God.
That was a hard blow to Nicodemus’ pharisaical way of thinking. For
this eliminates all human effort. But that’s also difficult for man to accept
today as well. For we are so inclined to think that if I do this or that, then I will
be more acceptable to the Lord. Oh yes, we are willing to confess that we are
sinners. Maybe we are even willing to agree that much needs to change in our
lives. Bad thoughts, words spoken in haste, sinful habits all need to be
improved upon. But what Nicodemus and we all need to understand is that the
required change in our life needs to go far deeper. Just some changes in our
words and our outward way of life is not sufficient to meet God with. It must
go much deeper. We need to become new creatures who are born from above,
of God. Not only do you and I as sinners need to repent and be converted, but
God must convert us if ever we are to receive an entrance into His Kingdom.
Thanks be to God that it is so. For no human might would ever be able to
change a depraved heart. But what man cannot do, God can, and is willing to
perform. He makes all things new through the power of His Spirit.
From our side, there is a mysterious element to the Holy Spirit’s work.
The Lord Jesus compares it to the wind. You cannot see the wind,
congregation. You do not know where it comes from and where it goes. It’s a
power which is just there, created and directed by God. While you do not
know its origins nor its end and cannot contain it in any way, yet we know it is
there by its force. We can feel it and hear it due to the resistance it meets with,
but one cannot see it. Well now, in a similar way the Holy Spirit performs His
labors upon sinners. That does not remain hidden, no. When the Holy Spirit
penetrates into the core of man’s being, the closed heart is opened, the hard
heart is made soft, the will is bent and the mind enlightened so that the good
and perfect will of God is discerned from a completely different perspective.
Yes then all obstinacy and resistance to God’s perfect will melts away and a
people are made willing in the day of His power to follow after the Lord where
ever He will lead. Yes, by the power of the Spirit a people are made new
creatures by which they experience a holy breathing after God.
You know, it remarkable that the same word, pneuma is used in the Greek
for the natural wind as well as for the Spirit. And that is why this comparison
is even more fitting. Through the Spirit’s power, for the first time in their lives,
sinners are given to see what life is all about. Yes, by the Spirit’s grace, people
of God, you began to understand the terribleness of your disobedience and
rebellion to God’s will. But by the same Spirit, you are brought to see that true
life can only be found in the blessed Savior. A heart that has been born again
thinks differently, expresses itself differently, has other desires and looks at life
from a completely different point of view than the natural man. Yes, beloved,
a tree is known by its fruit. And when a people are changed by the Spirit’s
grace and power, then all things are made new. Then the heart begins to thirst
for the living God.
Oh congregation, do you know of this mysterious, powerful work of the
Spirit in your life? Has the sound of the Spirit become apparent in your life?
No, I do not mean like the natural wind as it blows for example through the
trees. But has the Holy Spirit’s work been made a reality in your life? Oh yes,
I know, the Spirit’s work is a mysterious one, but the outworking of that work
becomes evident in sinner’s lives. For, while you may commit less sin, people
of God, you become a greater sinner before God while your mouth is opened to
speak God’s glorious praise. Well now, has the Holy Spirit already tuned your
heart and tongue, beloved? That’s what you need to learn to confess by His
grace. Only in this way may you be made rich toward God. Then alone will
you have the greatest treasure that can be received on this side of the grave,
namely, true peace with God, a true refuge for your soul. May that be the
desire of your heart, and that, more and more by the Spirit’s grace. Amen.
The Lord Jesus Teaches a Religious Leader
The Necessity of Being Born Again
(Sermon #2 of a possible series on the Kingdom of Heaven)
Psalter 67: 1, 2, 3
Law of God
Psalter 342:1, 2, 4
Psalter 416:1, 4, 5
Sermon
Psalter 142:3, 4
Psalter 383:1, 2, 5
Doxology 227:3
Sermon written by Rev. L. Roth of Pompton Plains, N.J.