LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 2).
John 3. Verses 1-3 read:
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Whereas God has made available to all men the life in the spirit through the atoning work of Christ, it is only those who connect to Christ who can access this life. The gateway to accessing the life of the spirit is known as the new birth or regeneration. In today’s text, Jesus takes advantage of the visit of Nicodemus at night to explain the concept of the new birth and the realities it offers men.
Nicodemus belonged to the strict religious sect known as the Pharisees. He was also a ruler of the Jews. As a Pharisee, he was acquainted with the ritualistic practises of the sect that lacked the power to transform men and establish a relationship with God. As a ruler of the Jews, he was well-respected, and many looked up to him. These qualities, notwithstanding, Nicodemus observed from a distance the outstanding life, ministry, and leadership demonstrated by Jesus. He could tell that there was a striking difference between what his sect practised and what Jesus was advocating. What Christ advocated was authentic, revolutionary, and life-transforming. Certainly, there was something more Nicodemus needed to know to measure up to the standard of Christ.
Nicodemus testified to Jesus that all Pharisees alluded to the fact that he was a teacher from God who was on mission on earth. The reason for this assertion was the outstanding miracles Jesus performed. The Pharisees knew that it would take a man from God to do them. Jesus did not focus on the words of Nicodemus. Rather, he began to address the deep quest of his heart. From creation to date, men often mount shields by projecting peripheral issues that deny accessing the core issues of their hearts. Jesus, and for that matter, God will always delve into the core of our being to align our lives to his.
In his response, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily,verily I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Beloved, the new birth is the access way into the spiritual kingdom, known as the Kingdom of God. Yes, God’s kingdom is spiritual and offers a myriad of spiritual experiences. Like Nicodemus, if we permit the fundamental experience of the new birth in our lives, our eyes will open to the realities of God’s kingdom to commence our exploration in the spirit.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏