Rebekah Wilson, Alpha Team
Rebekah Wilson 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s daily dose of the word of God. Today is Tuesday, February 28th, and this is Rebekah Wilson. This week we’re journeying with Jesus toward the cross, stumbling along with Nicodemus in John 3: 5-9.
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“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.”
Rebekah Wilson 0:58
The roles were reversed for once. Here Jesus is explaining, answering and Nicodemus is the one asking all the questions. We have the great benefit of hearing this exchange (this wrestling match) with the Lord. How do you explain rebirth? Well, as a former labor and delivery nurse, I have no problem explaining what happens during a physical birthing process. It’s messy, intimate and beautiful all wrapped up into one moment. And yes, there is water in a physical birth. But Nicodemus is asking about this second birthing process. Surely an old man like him wouldn’t have to enter his mother to be reborn.
Rebekah Wilson 1:41
So how do you explain something so mysterious, so miraculous, so marvelous? It’s like trying to explain where the wind comes from or where it’s going. In Genesis chapter 1, we learn that God fills HIs good earth by having creatures replicate “according to their various kinds”, so it would go to say that the same principle applies to the replication of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit would reproduce a new spirit. This new spirit was foretold in the prophet Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37. A new spirit would move us to follow HIs decrees and be careful to keep His laws. As we grow and mature in our spirits, we start to look more and more like the Spirit of the Living God. Have you made room for the Spirit to work in your life? What evidence can you point to in your life that bears witness to your rebirth? Your growth and sanctification? Where would you like to yield and allow the Spirit to work in your life?
Rebekah Wilson 2:47
Let’s pray. Father, I’m so thankful for this passage in the Scriptures where we get to sit in on Nicodemus struggling. We praise you for being a God who can handle our questions and isn’t annoyed with our curiosity or confusion. Help us to appreciate our rebirth in your Spirit. Help us to yield and surrender to the good work that your Spirit delights to do in our spirits. Thank you that you’ve created the body of Christ as a place where we can grow and develop and mature together. Amen.