Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:1-3 NET
Nicodemus was described as a Pharisee, among the most devout and pious of the Jews. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Both the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin were generally opposed to Jesus and his message.
But not all of them. Nicodemus seems to have been sympathetic towards Jesus. He came to him at night, likely a secret visit so he would not have to face criticism from his fellow Pharisees and council members. And his address to Jesus was complimentary, acknowledging that Jesus’ miraculous signs pointed to him as having come from God.
Why Nicodemus paid this night-time visit to Jesus is unknown. But it is likely he was a seeker. He wanted to know more about Jesus. And he probably felt like a night-time visit would give him the best opportunity to do that without interruption and negative consequences from his peers.
But he got more than he had bargained for. Jesus cut straight to the heart of what Nicodemus needed. Nicodemus’ belief that Jesus had come from God was not enough. That he believed Jesus to be a miracle worker, a great teacher, or even a prophet was not enough. If Nicodemus wanted to be a part of the kingdom that Jesus was announcing, he had to be born from above.
To be born from above (or born again) is to be born of the Spirit. Regeneration (new birth) is the work of the Holy Spirit when we come to faith in Christ. Regeneration brings us into the kingdom and family of God.
Nicodemus had an intellectual belief in who Jesus was. And it was a good belief. Many people today have similar beliefs about Jesus and think that is enough. But what Jesus said to Nicodemus is still true today.
It is not enough just to accept that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of the world. Nor is it enough to live a good life and go to church. We must be born from above (born of the Spirit) to experience life in the kingdom of God. A rebirth that only comes through putting our faith and trust in the crucified and resurrected Jesus.
