JESUS CHRIST AND NICODEMUS

YE MUST BE BORN FROM ABOVE

A Scriptural Examination of the Heavenly Calling, Spiritual Begetting, and Birth into Spirit Life

Primary Scripture: John 3:1–21

There was a remarkable meeting one night in Jerusalem between Jesus Christ, the Son of Yahweh, and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews.

Their conversation, recorded in the third chapter of John's Gospel, reveals profound truths concerning the Kingdom of God, the operation of Yahweh's holy spirit, and the necessity of being born from above.

It also introduces a distinction worthy of our careful attention: the difference between being begotten by the spirit during the present life and being born into spirit existence in the resurrection.

Let us examine the Scriptures in their proper context.

I. NICODEMUS COMES TO JESUS BY NIGHT

John 3:1–2 (KJV)

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.

Notice the testimony of Nicodemus.

He did not declare Jesus to be Yahweh Himself. Rather, he acknowledged that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God, and that God was with him.

This agrees with the testimony of Peter:

Acts 2:22

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you...

Thus, the Scriptures distinguish between Yahweh, the source of divine power, and Jesus Christ, His appointed Son and representative.

II. EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN

John 3:3 (KJV)

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.

The Greek expression translated born again is:

γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν — gennēthē anōthen

The word gennēthē, from gennaō (Strong's G1080), may describe begetting or giving birth.

The word anōthen (Strong's G509) can mean from above, anew, or again, according to its context.

This distinction is important.

Jesus was not teaching Nicodemus that a man must enter his mother's womb a second time. Indeed, Nicodemus raised precisely that question in verse 4.

Jesus was revealing a birth originating from above, through the operation of Yahweh's spirit.

The natural birth produces a fleshly human being. The spiritual birth belongs to an entirely different order of existence.

III. BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT

John 3:5–6 (KJV)

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Here Jesus establishes a distinction between two kinds of birth.

Flesh produces flesh. Spirit produces spirit.

The apostle Paul later supplies additional illumination:

1 Corinthians 15:44

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

And again:

1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God...

The connection deserves our closest attention.

The spiritual begetting of the Christian begins during the present life, but the resurrection brings the promised transformation into spiritual life.

1 Peter 1:3 speaks of believers being begotten again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:2 declares:

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Notice the order.

Believers are called children of God now, yet the fullness of their promised condition remains future.

Thus, spiritual begetting and the completed spiritual birth must not be confused.

IV. THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILL

John 3:8 (KJV)

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The Greek word pneuma (Strong's G4151) carries the meanings of wind, breath, and spirit.

Jesus uses the invisible movement of the wind to illustrate the mysterious operation of the spirit.

We observe the effects of the wind without seeing the wind itself.

Likewise, the operation of Yahweh's spirit is known by its effects.

Yet Jesus says something more: so is every one that is born of the spirit.

This invites comparison with the resurrected Christ, who appeared among his disciples after his resurrection, although the doors were shut (John 20:19).

The passage does not explain every property of a spiritual body, but it directs our attention toward a form of life beyond ordinary fleshly limitations.

V. HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?

Nicodemus, although a teacher in Israel, struggled to comprehend these teachings.

Jesus asked him:

John 3:10 (KJV)

Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

This question reveals that familiarity with the written Scriptures does not, by itself, guarantee understanding of their spiritual meaning.

Compare:

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Spiritual understanding requires more than intellectual learning.

It requires humility, faith, and the instruction of Yahweh through His spirit.

VI. THE SON OF MAN MUST BE LIFTED UP

Jesus then directed Nicodemus to an event in Israel's wilderness history.

John 3:14–15 (KJV)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The account appears in Numbers 21:8–9.

Those Israelites who looked upon the bronze serpent in obedience to Yahweh's instruction were preserved from death.

Jesus employed this historical event as a prophetic illustration of his own coming sacrifice.

As the serpent was lifted up before Israel, so the Son of Man would be lifted up for the salvation of mankind.

Here we find the foundation upon which every hope of everlasting life rests: the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

VII. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

John 3:16–17 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Observe the beautiful simplicity of this declaration.

Yahweh loved. Yahweh gave. Yahweh sent His Son.

The Son willingly fulfilled the Father's purpose.

And what was that purpose?

Not the condemnation of the world, but its salvation through Christ.

This agrees with the apostle Paul's testimony:

1 Timothy 2:5–6

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The ransom is not limited in its sufficiency to a small portion of Adam's race.

Christ gave himself as a ransom for all.

The heavenly calling of Christ's faithful followers must therefore be understood within Yahweh's larger purpose of blessing mankind.

VIII. THE HEAVENLY CALLING AND THE RESTORATION OF MANKIND

The Scriptures reveal both a heavenly inheritance for those called to reign with Christ and the promised restoration of the earth under his Kingdom.

Revelation 20:6 describes those who share in the first resurrection as priests of God and of Christ, reigning with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 5:10 likewise speaks of a kingdom and priesthood associated with the earth.

But what of mankind?

Acts 3:20–21 speaks of the times of restoration of all things, concerning which God spoke through His holy prophets.

Isaiah 11:9 declares:

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

And 1 Corinthians 15:22 declares:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The heavenly calling does not abolish Yahweh's promises concerning the earth.

Rather, those called to share Christ's reign are associated with the administration of the Kingdom through which the promised blessings reach mankind.

This understanding preserves the distinction between the spiritual inheritance of Christ's joint heirs and the earthly restoration promised through the prophets.

IX. LIGHT HAS COME INTO THE WORLD

Jesus concluded his instruction by addressing mankind's response to divine light.

John 3:19 (KJV)

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

And verse 21 declares:

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Here lies an essential lesson.

Truth is not merely something to be acknowledged intellectually.

It is something to be lived.

Those who love truth come willingly into the light, permitting their thoughts, conduct, and understanding to be examined by the Word of Yahweh.

The sincere disciple must never fear correction from the Scriptures.

For the purpose of divine illumination is not to exalt human tradition, but to reveal the will of the Heavenly Father.

CONCLUSION — THE WONDERFUL PURPOSE OF YAHWEH

The nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus opens a window into the heavenly calling and the magnificent purpose of Yahweh.

It teaches us that spiritual life originates from above, that the spirit of God accomplishes what flesh cannot, and that the promised inheritance of Christ's faithful followers reaches its fulfillment through resurrection.

It also reveals the foundation of every divine blessing: the love of Yahweh manifested in the gift of His beloved Son.

The heavenly calling is not an end in itself.

It belongs to the greater purpose of Yahweh, who has appointed His Christ to bring blessing, righteousness, and life to mankind.

Let us therefore heed the words of the Master:

"Ye must be born again." — John 3:7

And let us seek the understanding that comes from above, testing every teaching by the inspired Scriptures.

For as Jesus himself declared:

John 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

To Yahweh God be all glory, honor, and praise, through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!

HaliluYah! Amen and amen!

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Scriptural study prepared for public edification. Biblical quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated. Greek word studies are supplied for clarification of the original language.