John 3:9–15 (ESV)
You Must Be Born Again (Part 2)
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what
we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Nicodemus opens up his confusion when he says “How can
these things be?” I know that What Christ has done for me simply doesn’t make since. In fact it sounds crazy. How is a man who died 2,000 years ago supposed to forgive me of all my past, current and future sins???? I wasn’t
even born yet, and it is crazy to believe that Jesus Gospel applies to me today. But it is true! Nicodemus is still wrestling with this craziness. It is faith that comes from God that causes it to all make sense. Nicodemus knows that
Jesus is a teacher from God, but it will take the power of the Holy Spirit to tip him over to true belief. The “lifting up” will come on the cross... and after Jesus dies on the cross, Nicodemus will be there to carry the body to the grave
(later in the Bible). Sounds like the Holy Spirit eventually tipped Nick over into belief!
I pray: O Lord, let the Holy Spirit work in me and shape me according to your will. As I plant the
seeds of faith, let the Holy Spirit cause these seeds to grow. True conversion and growth come from you. Thank you for all that you have done for me and the world. I can’t wait to see you face to face. Amen!