SCRIPTURE: John 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ” [John 3:3]
First of all, the phrase Jesus uses – born again, well known among evangelicals – is better read ‘born from above’.
Jesus seems to make this statement from out of nowhere, it doesn’t answer anything Nicodemus’ asked him.
I think that Jesus is affirming Nicodemus’ seeking heart, and letting him know that his coming to Jesus, his interest in Jesus, seems to be sparked by God’s Spirit.
Translation: “You wouldn’t be here unless Someone up there (from above) was messing with your heart!”
This is the beginning of a new life for Nicodemus, though he doesn’t realize it; we see more signs of this new beginning in John 7:50-52, and in John 19:38-42 we find him helping with Jesus’ burial.
Slowly but surely, with the Spirit at work within His heart, Nicodemus gives his heart over to Jesus.

But notice that though the Spirit is at work, it doesn’t mean that suddenly Nicodemus has it all figured out; on the contrary, despite all his education and bible smarts, he just doesn’t get it at first.
I can relate to Nicodemus, with my seminary education, yet so slow to get it.
I’ve been in ministry for many years, and yet I am still slowly figuring Jesus out, and have so much more to learn.
But I would not be here if it wasn’t for the Spirit working in my heart.
What is happening in me – over the long haul – is generated from above, and in time it will give birth to a new me.
At it’s most basic level, the evidence of the Spirit at work was Nicodemus’ positive attraction to Jesus, that’s all.
It was not bold faith, it was not deep understanding, it was not an ability to perform miracles through prayer.
He did not reject Jesus, he was intrigued by Him, willing to take some steps towards Him – that’s all.
This is enough for Jesus to say, “Someone up there is up to something, a new person is being birthed!”

Several times in this chapter it stresses that our response to Jesus determines the outcome of our life.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” [John 3:36]
I really do believe this; that at the end of the day our heart’s response to Jesus will determine how things end for us.
But we need to be more gracious in this; it is not just those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus; it includes even those who show only the beginning signs of interest in Jesus, and have a long, long way to go.
God is just not finished yet, the work “from above” has begun, but is not done.
I think this includes a lot more people than just those that we call ‘christian’.
The Spirit is birthing a lot more believers than we see or know about, and even though we may not see the conversion or transition moment or dramatic life-change, the Spirit is at work from above, and that’s all it needs.

I did not talk about what it means to see the kingdom of God – I will save that for another day.
For now, look into your own heart – are you drawn to Jesus and His message, are you eager to know more about Him, to know Him better?
If so, be encouraged, no matter how much you may struggle with believing, because you wouldn’t be here unless this was something that was happening “from above”.
Just like it takes 9 months for a pregnancy so lead to a baby, your journey may take you through a long process.
But so long as you remain open to Jesus, drawn towards Him, eager to know Him more, you are being born again!

PRAYER:
Jesus, it seems to me that I am not born again, but being born again, or from above. I know that Your Spirit is messing with my heart, in a good way. It just seems to be taking so long! I look forward to the delivery!