“ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’
‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’
Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’”
John 3:3-5
Dear HBIC Family,
One of my earliest memories of identifying as a Christian was being born again. This was a magic phrase that seemed to establish that I belonged and that I knew what I was talking about. Saying you were a Christian only invited the response, “But are you born again?” As a child, and for years, I would say yes so easily. Over time, though, I started to wonder whether or not I was missing Jesus’ main points when he discussed being born again with the temple leader named Nicodemus.
Being born again is not about acceptance into a club or about knowing or saying the right phrase or formula. Being born again is about surrender and submission, transformation and growth, and living in the light of Christ so that it brings glory and honor to God. Nicodemus first understood “born again” as an impossible physical concept. Jesus taught him that re-birth is being born again of the Holy Spirit and not the flesh and accepting God’s gift of salvation by believing in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This week, we’ll be continuing the second half of our Remembrance series by returning to and eavesdropping on Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus, that famous night so many years ago. In so doing, we will learn what it means to be born again and why that’s so fundamental in following Jesus. To prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on John 3:1-21. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What is your first memory of the phrase “born again?” What did you think it meant?
What does “born again” mean to you today?
When did you choose to follow Jesus? What did you have to surrender?
How have you grown in your years since choosing to follow Jesus?
What is one way God is calling you to shine your light today?
I am so very grateful for the many people who have played a role in my life and faith and in my walk with God. Emily Dickinson was right; my family and friends have very much been my estate. I also like Gwendolyn Brooks, who reminds us that we are each other’s harvest. It is a great blessing to be loved, and it is an even greater blessing to be loved by people who love Jesus. The fruit we bear is a harvest of the prayers, guidance, time, and investment so many have poured into us.
Sisters and brothers, the call to be born again is more than the decision we made all those years ago to follow Jesus. It is the beginning of a lifetime commitment. We are born again by daily surrendering to the Holy Spirit. We are born again by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and living and loving the way he lived and loved. We are born again when we live to shine for the glory of God our Father.
God bless you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (John 3:3-5)