How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?
John 3:4
What an odd question.
But the conversation that led up to this question is equally unusual — on a number of levels. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish leadership and one of the expert teachers of law, and yet he sought out Jesus, but met him at night so no one else would know. (The Pharisees repeatedly argued with Jesus — they lost — and they eventually plotted Jesus’ death.)
So this man who supposedly knew Jewish scripture (“The Law and the prophets”) seeks a meeting with Jesus. He begins by saying it certainly looks like Jesus is from God, because no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him, [1:2]. Jesus responds to this praise with: Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, [3:3].
Huh?
It is as if Jesus knew the real reason Nicodemus had come to see him, so he told the Pharisee what he needed in order to understand the truth about Jesus (See the kingdom of God).
And Nicodemus responds like a teacher, and like most of us would. He interprets Jesus’ words literally and physically — by asking about the physiological process of human birth.
Take another look at Jesus’ “born again” remark. He tells Nicodemus that “seeing” the kingdom of God takes a different kind of sense. Only a person with spiritual sight or understanding will be able to recognize what Jesus is doing, let alone his relationship with God the Father. Nicodemus’ question proves what Jesus has just said: he can only think and ask questions in the physical or this-world sense. He doesn’t get it.
Jesus tries again. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God, [3:5]. He even compares the Spirit to the wind, which Nicodemus knows about, but does not know where it comes from or what causes it to blow as it does. Even with this hint Nicodemus is still bound to this world: How can these things be? [3:9].
Jesus takes a third, somewhat frustrated swing: Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? [3:10]. He explains that he is telling the truth because he is the truth: the human, physical, this-world representation of God. Jesus actually confirms Nicodemus’ very first remark: he is from God.
And then he tells Nicodemus why: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, [3:16]. This is a very well-known verse, but don’t stop there. Jesus gives Nicodemus, and us, another view of his Mission: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved, [3:17].
Jesus’ work is not about judging or condemning behavior or actions — mine, yours, family members, co-workers, leaders. Salvation is not a transaction based on what we have done or not done (or might do or not do). Salvation is the gracious gift of a spiritual life (born again of water and the Spirit) lived in relationship with God based on what God has done because of his love for his creation.
So we can ask God to help us “see” with non-judgmental, non-transactional, non-condemning vision — just like the vision God uses to look at us and our neighbors.
So, Jesus tell Nicodemus that he is going to die before the Crucifixion? I’m not sure I got that before–or maybe didn’t hear it
Jesus provided a number of hints about his future, including his death and resurrection: At the wedding in Cana he told his mother his time had not yet come. He told the Jews he would give them the “sign of Jonah,” and “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will search for me but you will not find me; and where I am going you cannot come.” Just before his crucifixion he tells the apostles directly about his impending death and resurrection.