New Life In ChristMostra

Day Four

A Secret Encounter

Scripture: John 3:1–21; Titus 3:5–7

The third chapter in the Gospel of John records the personal encounter Nicodemus had with Jesus. Take some time now to read John 3:1–21, since we’ll be looking at this passage both today and tomorrow.

In their encounter, Jesus addressed Nicodemus as “the teacher of Israel” (John 3:10). That is a high recognition from the Lord Himself. Jesus acknowledged that this respected man was the premier Bible teacher in the entire nation. But despite his accumulated knowledge, Nicodemus remained spiritually ignorant of his own need for the new birth. What he needed was God Himself. 

No matter where we are in life, we share the exact same need. The Bible says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5–7).

No one is too sinful to be beyond the saving power of God. Nor is anyone so good that they do not need it. This is the truth Nicodemus had to learn. 

With heart-piercing words, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In no uncertain words, Jesus stated that if this highly respected man was to see the kingdom of God, he must be born again. The Lord said that Nicodemus needed to start his life all over. 

Jesus explained that all of Nicodemus’s self-righteous deeds had gained him nothing in finding acceptance with God. With laser-like insight, the Lord looked past his admirable façade and peered into his sin-tainted heart. 

In our own day, self-righteousness can come in many forms—a trust in one’s own morals, church tradition, or even political conservatism. But none of these superficial pursuits can bring salvation or the needed change to start over. Each of us must receive the spiritual life that only comes from the second birth. 

Why would God use such a dramatic metaphor as birth in His call to us to follow Him?