January
12, 2003
BORN
AGAIN
"Jesus
answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' "
(John 3:3, NKJV).
"Since
hearing Jesus, Nicodemus had anxiously studied the prophecies
relating to the Messiah; and the more he searched, the stronger
was his conviction that this was the One who was to come.
With many others in Israel he had been greatly distressed
by the profanation of the temple. He was a witness of the
scene when Jesus drove out the buyers and the sellers; he
beheld the wonderful manifestation of divine power; he saw
the Saviour receiving the poor and healing the sick; he saw
their looks of joy, and heard their words of praise; and he
could not doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was the Sent of God.
"He
greatly desired an interview with Jesus, but shrank from seeking
Him openly. It would be too humiliating for a ruler of the
Jews to acknowledge himself in sympathy with a teacher as
yet so little known. And should his visit come to the knowledge
of the Sanhedrin, it would draw upon him their scorn and denunciation.
He resolved upon a secret interview, excusing this on the
ground that if he were to go openly, others might follow his
example. Learning by special inquiry the Saviour's place of
retirement in the Mount of Olives, he waited until the city
was hushed in slumber, and then sought Him.
"In
the presence of Christ, Nicodemus felt a strange timidity,
which he endeavored to conceal under an air of composure and
dignity. 'Rabbi,' he said, 'we know that you are a teacher
come from God: for no man can do these miracles that You do,
except God be with him.' By speaking of Christ's rare gifts
as a teacher, and also of His wonderful power to perform miracles,
he hoped to pave the way for his interview. His words were
designed to express and to invite confidence; but they really
expressed unbelief. He did not acknowledge Jesus to be the
Messiah, but only a teacher sent from God.
"Instead
of recognizing this salutation, Jesus bent His eyes upon the
speaker, as if reading his very soul. In His infinite wisdom
He saw before Him a seeker after truth. He knew the object
of this visit, and with a desire to deepen the conviction
already resting upon His listener's mind, He came directly
to the point, saying solemnly, yet kindly,
'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.' (John 3:3).
"Nicodemus
had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with
Him, but Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth.
He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you
need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have
your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must
receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly
things. Until this change takes place, making all things new,
it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me
My authority or My mission."-- The Desire of Ages,
pp. 168, 171. (to be continued)
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