Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 12: Nicodemus and being Born Again
In Week 12 of the Living Words Podcast, hosted by Charles Vance, the focus is on Nicodemus and the profound concept of being born again, derived from John 3:1-21. Charles opens with a prayer and delves into the secret nighttime meeting between Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and Jesus. This pivotal encounter unveils the necessity of spiritual rebirth for entering God's kingdom, highlighting the mysterious and transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' explanation to Nicodemus emphasizes the contrast between physical and spiritual birth, illustrating the profound change required to see the kingdom of God. The discussion further explores the depth of God's love as expressed in John 3:16, underscoring salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Reflections on the nature of light and darkness encourage listeners to examine their own life choices and embrace the illuminating guidance of the Holy Spirit. The podcast concludes with prayers for spiritual rebirth, embracing God's love, and living in the light, inviting listeners to seek a deeper understanding and transformative relationship with God.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
is Living Words Podcast. This is the 12th week of In His Footsteps Devotional and this week our topic is Nicodemus and being born again. The passage of the text for the week is John 3, 1 through 21. I'm going to open up with a brief prayer and then we'll read the scripture. Father in heaven, we just praise your name. We thank you for your mercy and for your goodness. I just pray that you would open up your word for hearing, open our eyes and our ears and our heart to perceive your word.
Speaker 1:There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher, come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. And Jesus answered and said to him Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to him how can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? When he is old, can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? And Jesus answered Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. And that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you. You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Speaker 1:Nicodemus answered and said to him how can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you we speak what we know and testify what we have seen. And you do not receive our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe it if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven, but he who came down from heaven, that is the Son of man, who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but the world, through him, might be saved. He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation that the light has come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been seen by God.
Speaker 1:John 3, 1-21 captures a pivotal encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. This nighttime conversation unveils fundamental truths about the nature of salvation, the concept of being born again and the essence of God's love for humanity. So here's a deeper look into the significant dialogue and its implications. First, it was a secret meeting. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, likely indicating his curiosity and caution. Despite his status as a Pharisee, nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God, based on the miraculous science he has performed. So being born again. Jesus introduced the concept of being born anew, or from above, as a prerequisite for seeing the King of God. This spiritual rebirth, contrasted with physical birth, confounds Nicodemus, prompting Jesus to explain that this new birth is of water and spirit, a transformation that allows for entry into God's kingdom.
Speaker 1:The Role of the Spirit Jesus emphasizes the mysterious, sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in the process of spiritual rebirth, likening it to the wind which blows unpredictably. This highlights the Spirit's vital role in the regeneration and renewal of the believer. Salvation through faith in the Son. Central to the passage is John 3.16, one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, summarizing the gospel. God's love for the world motivated the giving of His Son, so that belief in Him results in eternal life rather than condemnation. Light and Darkness the discourse concludes with a contrast between light and darkness, serving as metaphors for truth and evil respectively. Jesus' presence brings light, but people's natural inclination to choose darkness, due to their deeds, underscores the human condition of sin and the need for a Savior.
Speaker 1:Now the theological significance is first salvation is a divine initiative. The encounter underscores salvation as initiated by God, not through human effort or understanding. It points to the necessity of divine intervention, in the form of the Spirit's work, to bring about spiritual rebirth. The universality of God's love John 3, 16-17 broadens the scope of God's covenantal love to include the whole world, not just Israel. This universal love offers salvation to all who believe in Jesus, irrespective of their background or previous beliefs. The passage presents belief in Jesus not merely as intellectual assent, but as transformative trust that results in moving from death to life. It also introduces the theme of judgment based on one's response to Jesus, with belief leading to salvation and unbelief leading to condemnation.
Speaker 1:The new birth being born again, is depicted as a radical transformation that affects one's ability to see and enter God's kingdom. It signifies a spiritual awakening that impacts one's understanding of and relationship with God. Here are some lessons the necessity of being born again for kingdom entry. Jesus emphasizes that being born again, spiritually reborn from above, is essential to see and enter the kingdom of God. This rebirth, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, marks a fundamental transformation in our relationship with God, underscoring that entrance into God's kingdom transcends religious heritage or moral accomplishment. Next, the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit and the power of divine love. The Holy Spirit's role in spiritual rebirth is likened to the wind mysterious and beyond human control, highlighting the Spirit's transformative power in our lives. Moreover, the foundation of salvation is God's love, demonstrated through the sacrificial giving of His Son, emphasizing that eternal life is a gift received through faith in Jesus, not earned condemnation to eternal life, illuminating the path out of spiritual darkness. This belief is not merely intellectual, but a trust that transforms, inviting us to live in the truth of His teachings. The narrative encourages personal openness to the work of Jesus Christ, akin to Nicodemus' encounter, leading to a renewed understanding of life and faith.
Speaker 1:Here are some questions for reflection and discussion. Reflect on the concept of being born again. What does this signify for your personal faith journey in relationship with God? Born again, what does this signify for your personal faith journey in relationship with God? Well, for me, you know it's a total change of life. Some people have talked about a lessening of a load or a load being lifted off. You go from death to life. Your attitude changes, your heart is recreated, you have new eyes. You have new eyes. You see things from a different perspective when you have received the inner light of Jesus Christ in your heart.
Speaker 1:So discuss the role of the Holy Spirit as described by Jesus. How have you experienced the Spirit's work in your own life? That the voice of God, the Holy Spirit, that the voice of God, the Holy Spirit, is a small still voice in your heart. It's not an audible voice, but it's an impression. It's definitely a voice that you hear, but you hear it in your heart. You don't hear it in your ears audibly, like somebody talking to you, like voices, but you hear the impression of the will of God in your heart and you hear his voice quietly speaking to you, empathically, to your heart.
Speaker 1:Consider the depth of God's love as described in John 3.16. How does this verse shape your understanding of the gospel and its implications for the world? John 3.16 is, like I said, it's probably one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible. It's one of the first verses that kids learn in Sunday school. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. And it's one of the key verses that people will use whenever trying to lead somebody to salvation. It is the promise of eternal life and it's the reason why he said because he loved the world. And it doesn't mean that he loved evil people. It means he loves everybody equally, but it's not. It's an open invitation, but it's not. There is a requirement in its obedience, so it's just that it's. He broadcasts his salvation message to everybody. Not everybody will accept it, but everybody can. Anybody can.
Speaker 1:So in what ways does the contrast between light and darkness challenge you to examine your own life choices? I think when we look at our own life choices, every choice we make is a little bit between what's good and what's bad. You know what's the light and the dark. It's dark to light. We want to find things that are going to illuminate our lives and make our lives better. It's destructive whenever we choose things that are not good for us, that we may like, but we know the end of it is bad. So we want to try to learn how to make those choices that are going to be good for us in the long run, and that's where the illuminating guidance of the Holy Spirit comes in.
Speaker 1:So how does Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus inspire questions or insights about seeking truth and understanding in your faith? Nicodemus was confused because he did not understand that Jesus was not talking about a physical rebirth. He did not have to enter his mother's womb again. He's talking about a spiritual rebirth, and that's actually what's the identity in baptism. When you go down into the water it's symbolic of you being buried with him, and when you come out of the water you're rising again a new creature, a new creation with a new heart and new eyes and new ears spiritual eyes, spiritual heart, spiritual eyes, spiritual ears that you can hear and see him and hear his voice in your heart.
Speaker 1:Now here's some suggested prayers. This is a prayer for spiritual rebirth. Heavenly Father, we come before you in awe of your mighty power to transform and renew. This is a prayer for spiritual rebirth. Truly see and enter your kingdom. Open our hearts to this profound spiritual renewal that our lives may be a testament to your transformative work. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen and a prayer for embracing God's love. Lord Jesus, you have shown us the depths of God's love, a love so vast that it bridged the gap between heaven and earth, bringing salvation to all who believe. Help us to not only embrace this love for ourselves, but also to extend it to those. Amen.
Speaker 1:Prayer for Living in the Light. Holy Spirit, guide us to walk in the light of Christ, shunning the darkness of sin and deception. Illuminate our path with your wisdom and truth that we might live lives that reflect your purity and righteousness. Help us to be honest in our dealings, transparent in our relationships and open in our fellowship with one another, asking always to seek to bring glory to your name. Empower us to be bearers of light in. Thank you for joining me this week. I hope it's been a blessing to you and I hope you have some food for thought and food for heart as you move forward this week. Again, if you want a copy of the In His Footsteps, 52 Weeks in the Gospel of John devotion, I'll leave a link to it in the show notes. Again, have a good day.
