Today’s Scripture passage from this week’s Lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer contains one of the most well-known verses, and familiar passages of the Bible. In this Scripture we read of the necessity of the new birth, the nature of saving faith, and the heart of God in sending His Son for our salvation.
As we begin, we read that a man named Nicodemus came to see Jesus one evening (vs. 1-2). Nicodemus was a devout Pharisee who meticulously followed the Old Testament Law and religious rituals. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish religious and legal court, which held some power under Roman occupation. Nicodemus had heard Jesus preach and teach on several occasions, seen some of the miracles, and was interested in learning more, but because his peers within the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, he was afraid to do this publicly, so he came to Jesus at night.
Jesus welcomed Nicodemus and the two conversed. However, Jesus made it clear right from the start that religious knowledge, moral living, and even respect for Himself was not the same as salvation. People today, as well as back then, often think they are the same. They believe that if they go to church, have a passing knowledge of the Bible or other religious writings, live a good moral life, and even hold Jesus in the highest regard, that this will get them to heaven. As Jesus clearly states in our Scripture today, that is not the case!
Jesus doesn’t waste any time discussing nonessentials. He comes right to the point immediately, and tells Nicodemus that he must be born again. He needs salvation if he wants to see the Kingdom of God, to go to heaven (vs. 3). Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus, thinking that He was somehow talking about physical birth, and how that could be at all possible (vs. 4). Jesus was not talking about physical birth, but spiritual birth, one produced by the Holy Spirit (vs. 5-6). He clearly stated that this is necessary for every person, regardless of their religious background. It was necessary then, and it is necessary today. People are not born again, or saved, because of who or what they are. It doesn’t matter what religion one’s parents are, or how devoutly they practice any religious rituals. One must be born again to get to heaven (vs. 7).
Being “born of water and the Spirit” (vs. 5), is not baptismal regeneration. One is not born again because they have been baptized. Any number of heinous criminals and dictators were baptized as babies, and they most probably were not saved. Water refers to the cleansing work of the Word of God, as we read in Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Ephesians 5:26. The Spirit refers to the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Being born again, or saved, is a supernatural act of God, not achieved by human effort. When we are born again, we become children of the living God, and rightful heirs to every good thing that He has to offer.
Despite being a religious leader and teacher, Nicodemus still did not understand, and Jesus gently rebuked him (vs. 9-10). The Old Testament had already promised a new heart and Spirit in those verses from Ezekiel mentioned above, but Nicodemus had missed the meaning of God’s promise. Jesus then shifted from the new birth to the basis of salvation - that of His own person and work (vs. 13-15). The Lord used as a reference the picture of when God sent fiery serpents as judgment on the Israelites, and the cure was to look at the image of a serpent Moses put on a pole (Numbers 21:4-9). Israel was dying from these serpent bites, and God provided only one remedy - to look at the lifted-up serpent. Those who looked lived. This was an example of what Jesus would accomplish when He died on the cross. The people couldn’t use whatever cure they wanted to make up. They had to use God’s cure. It is the same with salvation. We can’t decide what sounds good by today’s modern standards. We are only saved by God’s way. Salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone.
Next comes one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, verses 16 and 17. This is not a vague sentiment, but a purposeful, sacrificial love towards undeserving sinners. God gave, not merely sent, His only begotten Son to die for sinners. And no matter who you are, if you believe and put your faith in Jesus, you will receive eternal life. The Gospel is rooted in God’s love, accomplished through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, and received by faith.
The Bible, and Jesus Himself, say that He is the only way of salvation (I John 5:11-12; John 14:6). If you want to get to heaven, Jesus is the only One who can take you there. We can trust God, because He has given us exactly what we need most - salvation. He did not do this because He owed us anything, or because of any inherent good within us. God saved us for one reason, and that is because of His all-surpassing love.
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