A New Birth – part 1
John 2:23-3:7
INTRO: Good morning church. We are going to continue in our look at John’s Gospel today. We want to put some effort in learning from John for within this gospel is much information we can use when we teach others of the Lord. Remember John was an eyewitness to these events, and he writes as such. Our text is John 2:23 through John 3:7. This will be a two-part lesson with the focus on the conversation Jesus has with Nicodemus.
Let’s start reading at John 2:23, “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”[ESV] A very curious kind of statement, especially as it sits between the cleansing of the temple and the discussion with Nicodemus. We will see though this is a connector to Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus as we continue.
In verses 23 and 24 the same Greek word is translated as believed when it says “many believed in his name”, and as entrust (or commit) when it says “Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them.” Another translation put it “…many trusted in His name when they saw the signs He was doing. Jesus, however, would not entrust Himself to them…”[HCSB] You might say Jesus is not believing them even though they're believing in Him.
Why does Jesus have this skepticism about people? The answer is that Jesus knows the heart of every person. He knows what is within them and He is able to determine their level of belief. They may have been enthusiastic over what He did, but Jesus saw beyond that, and He recognized they were not committed to Him in terms of faith. The language indicates to me that Jesus knew the reality of their trust, how deep it was, or more to the point, how shallow.
John is pointing out something important to describe what true belief is. True belief is not just merely an acknowledgement of “who” Jesus is because of the signs that He performs as we note… “many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.”[ESV] People see the miracles, they see the power that Jesus is wielding, and yet that is not enough to cause the people to have a change of heart that true belief calls for.
It is not simply recognition that; here is somebody special because he can do miracles. It should be “He's clearly from God, and therefore I should listen to Him, follow Him, and obey Him”. I think that is why John ties this to the Passover. It is going to be these very people who are believing in Jesus, who are going to turn around and crucify the Passover lamb.
Some of these very people in a short while are going to turn Him over for trial, and when given the opportunity to release him, they're not going to call for His release.
John is observing that within their hearts, though they seem to be believing, they have not come to faith in Jesus. Their belief is shallow. Their hearts and their lives have not changed. They are just acknowledging the miracles that Jesus performed.
Jesus teaches this in the parable of the Sower. In that parable He speaks of the Word of God being sown on different kinds of hearts, and yet in many of those various soils, the Word of God doesn't take root and grow.
There is a hearing of the Word of God, and in some cases there's even some action toward God, and yet it does not last. We do not see the kind of change of heart and life that true faith calls for. I suspect John is setting us up with this thought before we read of Jesus and Nicodemus. Let’s see how Jesus is going to handle who Nicodemus is and who he represents.
We'll go ahead and read through verse 15 though we will not be able to discuss all of that today. John 3:1-15 – “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.”[ESV]. There is a lot going on here. Let’s examine what is being said, a section at a time, and see what we can learn from it.
I. The Necessity of the New Birth (3:1-4). We are introduced to Nicodemus in verse 1 and we learn a few things about him. First, he is a Pharisee. We have studied enough to know this is usually not a good thing. Second, he is described as a ruler of the Jews, and later in John's Gospel, we will become aware that he is part of the Sanhedrin, the religious ruling body of that day. Nicodemus is someone of importance and he wields a lot of power.
A. We also see from verse 2 that it is his desire to speak to Jesus. Even though Nicodemus is a Pharisee, and a ruler of the Jews, we should withhold some skepticism, because when we get to the end of the Gospel, we find Nicodemus’ involvement. We are going to read that after the crucifixion Nicodemus brings the burial spices. Then he and Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews and placed it in the tomb.
1. We do not know if Nicodemus becomes a follower of Jesus at the end of this discussion, or if it is sometime later. But John makes it very clear in chapter 19, that this very man who has this conversation is going to have great concern for the body of Jesus and helps prepare His body for burial.
2. What Nicodemus says here in verse 2 is fascinating and fits very well with John 2:23-24. “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.” Here is a statement of belief—we know that you are from God. The words "we know" indicate the profound effect which the mighty signs of Jesus had produced in the very center of Judaism. These words admit others knew of the heavenly origin of Jesus. Though only one of the great signs John selected for this Gospel had been recorded at this point; Nicodemus' words, along with John 2:23, show that many signs had been wrought.
3. For no one can do these signs … How amazing that with such evidence before them, so few, were touched in their hearts sufficiently to eventually lead them to Jesus.
4. Why do these people believe? Because of the signs that are being done. However, there seems to be something lacking with Nicodemus. Remember Jesus knows what is in man. Notice what Jesus says to Nicodemus in verse 3. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
B. Imagine you are Nicodemus for a minute and consider what a shock this statement would be. You are a Pharisee. You are a careful follower of the Law of Moses. You are a dedicated person, a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhedrin. Yet Jesus, who you know is from God just told you, you cannot see the kingdom of God. This is not the sort of statement Nicodemus would be expecting to hear!
1. What Jesus is beginning to reveal here and what John wants us to observe, is yes, you have some belief. We know you're from God. But that belief is incomplete. Jesus is telling him there is more needed. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you're born again, only then are you going to see the kingdom of God.
2. I think it is important for us to consider Nicodemus. A devote Jew at that time, with all of his obedience to the law, all that made him a Jew, circumcised on the eighth day, separation from the Gentiles, eating of clean and refusing unclean foods, all the various marks that set him apart as being a child of Abraham, being able to trace his lineage back and saying, this is who I am. As they would say, “we are the recipients of the promise.”
3. Then for Jesus to turn and indicate, no, you're not seeing the kingdom of God—had to rattle Nicodemus. I suspect that leads Nicodemus to ask in verse 9, “how can these things be?” We notice though that unlike the rich, young ruler who turned away when he was told he lacked, Nicodemus asks. He wants to know; What are you talking about? How can this possibly be the case? Surely I’m doing things right. What Jesus then describes is that there is a necessity for a new birth.
C. Let's talk about the answer that Jesus gives here in verse 3 when He says, unless one is born again. There's an interesting word here which some translations render as born from above. This adverb actually means both. Strong defines the word (ἄνωθεν ánōthen, an'-o-then) as; “from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew: -from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
1. This word is used later in John's gospel, in John 3:31 and John 19:11. We have this double meaning, and John continues to use it through this gospel, born again, born from above.
2. We also notice that Nicodemus understands this as being born again because in verse 4 he says, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
D. The idea is a recognition that something new must occur. That image of something new is used throughout the New Testament by almost all the writers. For example, Peter uses this image in 1st Peter 1:22-23. He says, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” In this image though, Peter uses a different Greek word that means; begat again, born anew, born again. This word does not mean born from above. It's a different word.
1. This verb solidifies the idea of born again as something new. Ok, so listen to what the Apostle Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” He said you're a new creation. In Galatians 6:15 he told them, “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” What matters is being a new creature or a new creation. What is being described in this imagery of a physical birth, is your need for a spiritual birth. There is a new birth that is going to occur.
2. We don't hear the phrase “born again” quite as much as we used to. I suspect there has been a lot of misunderstanding of what was being described by that phrase. What we're talking about, a new life, new creation, new person, is that complete transformation that's found in Christ. So, we're not talking about physical birth, but about a spiritual birth. You are being born spiritually and if you are born it follows there is growing to do.
E. Nicodemus response to this is interesting yet not unexpected in the literal sense. Verse 4, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” I can think of three potential ways to look at what Nicodemus is saying here.
1. One possibility is that what Nicodemus is doing is being sarcastic and dismissive. How can a person be born when he is old? What do you want me to do? Go back into my mother's womb? I think we can reject that explanation. I have a hard time thinking of Nicodemus completely throwing out Jesus' words and saying that's ridiculous, because of what Nicodemus does later.
2. Another possibility is he's being a bit dull. He does not grasp what the spiritual discussion is about and has no idea that Jesus is talking on a spiritual level. When Jesus says be born again, what Nicodemus hears is climb back into my mother's womb and be born again.
a) Possible, I suppose, but this is a teacher, a ruler of the Jews, a religious leader. This is supposed to be a spiritually minded man. He is part of the Sanhedrin. He would have known the scriptures but of course knowing and understanding are not always the same thing. We see that all throughout the Gospels.
b) The way the discussion unfolds though, I submit to you that what Nicodemus does is continue the metaphor in his response. That's what he says back to Jesus, you're talking about some kind of birth, but how is that going to be possible?
3. I think Nicodemus grasps what Jesus is saying and is recognizing the seeming impossible nature of Jesus’ teaching. In essence, Nicodemus is saying, “Isn’t it too late for such a change?” Jesus is teaching that you need to experience a whole new birth, become a whole new person, a new creation, being born from above to be in the kingdom of God.
F. If this is true, then I need to start life all over again. How am I going to do this after so much life has already passed by? Nicodemus saying if I as a Jew, a child of Abraham, a careful follower of the law of Moses, a keeper of the works of the law, a Pharisee of Pharisees, (if we were to borrow Paul's words), a ruler and teacher of the Jews and a member of the Sanhedrin, am not in the kingdom of God, then how do you suppose that I'm going to participate in this new birth? How am I supposed to be born again?
1. Nicodemus has spent a large part of his life learning and growing in knowledge of the Law of Moses. He has dedicated himself to this path. I suspect to him within the idea of a new birth is the concept that all this is wasted and he must start over from scratch.
2. Nicodemus is having difficulty with what Jesus is saying, and I suggest to you that Nicodemus is not being obtuse or sarcastic with what he says in verse 4. He's not intentionally trying to be rude to Jesus but struggling to grasp the meaning. How can this be? What are you saying, that I must start completely over? Is that really going to be possible at this point in my life?
3. As we talk to people today, we find those who have difficulty grasping the call of the gospel. Consider how often that occurs when Jesus teaches people. For example, when Jesus says how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, remember the disciple’s reaction? It was, “Who then can be saved?” Here Jesus uses the idea of new birth to tell Nicodemus something is still lacking. Notice how Jesus expands upon that in an answer to try to help him understand.
II. The Explanation of the New Birth (3:5-8). Verse 5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Here Jesus expands on the explanation to Nicodemus.
A. At verse 6 Jesus is agreeing with the impossibility Nicodemus states because Jesus says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again. 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.”
1. The first thing we notice is that being born of flesh always carries the idea of human weakness, it reminds us of our shortcomings in the flesh, and to speak of the flesh is always a reminder that we don't live up to God's standard.
2. Paul in Romans 7:14 – “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.” This new birth cannot be something physical; it must be something spiritual. All who are of the flesh recognize that we are under sin. We have fallen short, and we need something from God to help us. A spiritual birth is needed. That's what Jesus is pointing out.
B. Being born of water and the spirit is an answer to the problem that Nicodemus faces. --- How is this going to work if, with all his achievements. all his obedience and all his accolades, he is not in the kingdom of God? How is it going to be possible to be part of the kingdom? What does it mean to be “born of water and the Spirit?” How is this an answer to Nicodemus’ confusion about how it is possible to experience a new birth?
C. Let’s look at Nicodemus knowledge of the scriptures. This language of water and Spirit are found in the Old Testament as those prophets looked toward the restoration of God’s people. Please turn in your Bibles to Ezekiel 36:22-29.
1. There are a few places where the Old Testament speaks of a water birth or water regeneration, water cleansing along with a spirit cleansing, but not many, and Ezekiel 36 is perhaps the largest explanation of these two concepts being joined together.
2. Ezekiel is prophesying about what his people will become one day. God is explaining what is going to occur in verse 22f. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.” Stop there for a moment and appreciate what God says.
D. God says, what is about to occur is not because of you, it's not because you’re good, it's not because of anything useful to you, but because My name must be glorified. I must be considered holy among the nations, and you have ruined My reputation because of your sins.
1. Therefore, God says, I'm about to do something not for your sake, but for My glory, I'm going to vindicate My name. He lays this out - this isn't about us, this is about God. God's glory, that's always what it is about.
2. In the last analysis, salvation was undeserved by ancient Israel, as it is also undeserved in the New Israel. There is no such thing as salvation from God being merited, deserved, or earned by the ones saved. The reason for ancient Israel's return from captivity was not their merit, but the glory of God and His eternal purpose.
E. Now verse 24 – “24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” Here we see what God is going to do. In verse 25 there is a cleansing with clean water that is going to wash away all the filthiness, the defilements.
1. In verse 26 a whole transformation is going to occur within these people. They will be given a new heart and a new spirit. The heart of stone will be taken from them. God will put His Spirit in them which will lead them to carefully obey God’s laws (27). Notice the connection between water and Spirit. The imagery of spiritual birth and revival is filled through this paragraph.
2. The people saw themselves as being born into the covenant, children of Israel, the children of Abraham—we’re good… and they rebelled against God's law. People today say—“we’re good” and all the while they are in rebellion. God says no, those that are My people, My children, that will enter My house, are not going to be like that.
3. This picture of total transformation is the imagery of what this new birth is about and I believe Jesus is giving this to Nicodemus to help him understand. Nicodemus had the background of knowledge to understand that God spoke of what was going to happen. The days were coming when His people would experience a complete and radical transformation, becoming a new person through a new birth so that they would follow the Lord and be in a renewed relationship.
CONCLUSION: Entrance into the kingdom of God will not be just because of who you are or because of your achievements under the works of the law. There is to be a change of heart, a change of life, a radical transformation that will occur. Those who enter the Kingdom will be the ones who will obey.
The apostle writers all used these different descriptions of what the people of God would be like; new life, new heart, new spirit, new birth, new creation—people that would wholly follow the Lord. God would then take away that uncleanness. The idea is what would be within His people is not a spirit of wickedness or a spirit of rebellion or a spirit of worldliness… but a spirit of godliness.
We know many see the phrase “born of water” and say “oh, that just means be baptized” then think no more about it. Nicodemus cannot understand how he is not entering the kingdom of God. Nicodemus is a ruler of the Jews and a Pharisee, yet these things do not mean that Nicodemus is in the kingdom. It does not make any sense for Jesus to be telling Nicodemus that what he is lacking is baptism. “If you would just be baptized, then you would be in the kingdom.” That does not fit what Jesus is teaching, nor does this fit with what Ezekiel prophesied. What Jesus is talking about is bigger than baptism.
Revelation 7:14. Those who had “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb” did not mean merely baptism, but stood for people who had given their lives wholly to Jesus and had died faithfully for him. The image included baptism but was not speaking exclusively of the baptism act. In the same way, baptism is included in the new birth, but Jesus is not saying just get baptized. Rather, the picture is bigger than baptism. The new birth is the change of heart from stone to flesh, the removal of uncleanness, and the faithful desire to obey all His laws. This is what Ezekiel is picturing, and this is what Jesus is saying is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, a different birth is needed. A spiritual birth is needed, because what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The message is yours. The invitation is there for any who have a need to be baptized into Christ, or those who need prayers of faithful people, to come forward while we stand and sing.
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Reference Sermon: Brent Kercheville
