January
13, 2003
BORN
OF WATER AND SPIRIT
"Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5,
NKJV).
"Nicodemus
had heard the preaching of John the Baptist concerning repentance
and baptism, and pointing the people to One who should baptize
with the Holy Spirit. He himself had felt that there was a
lack of spirituality among the Jews, that, to a great degree,
they were controlled by bigotry and worldly ambition. He had
hoped for a better state of things at the Messiah's coming.
Yet the heart-searching message of the Baptist had failed
to work in him conviction of sin. He was a strict Pharisee,
and prided himself on his good works. He was widely esteemed
for his benevolence and his liberality in sustaining the Temple
service, and he felt secure of the favor of God. He was startled
at the thought of a kingdom too pure for him to see in his
present state.
"The
figure of the new birth, which Jesus had used, was not wholly
unfamiliar to Nicodemus. Converts from heathenism to the faith
of Israel were often compared to children just born. Therefore
he must have perceived that the words of Christ were not to
be taken in a literal sense. But by virtue of his birth as
an Israelite he regarded himself as sure of a place in the
kingdom of God. He felt that he needed no change. Hence his
surprise at the Saviour's words. He was irritated by their
close application to himself. The pride of the Pharisee was
struggling against the honest desire of the seeker after truth.
He wondered that Christ should speak to him as He did, not
respecting his position as ruler in Israel.
"Surprised
out of his self-possession, he answered Christ in words full
of irony, 'How can a man be born when he is old?' Like many
others when cutting truth is brought home to the conscience,
he revealed the fact that the natural man receives not the
things of the Spirit of God. There is in him nothing that
responds to spiritual things; for spiritual things are spiritually
discerned.
"But
the Saviour did not meet argument with argument. Raising His
hand with solemn, quiet dignity, He pressed the truth home
with greater assurance, 'Most assuredly,
I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit,
he cannot enter the kingdom of God.' (John 3:5). Nicodemus
knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and the renewing
of the heart by the Spirit of God. He was convinced that he
was in the presence of the One whom John the Baptist had foretold."--
The Desire of Ages, pp. 171, 172. (to be
continued)
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