"Born Again?"

John 3 fascinates me every time I read and study it. It has done that to me again tonight. Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, a "ruler of the Jews" about being "born again." And I admit, this concept is something that I have struggled with for many years and many hours and through many papers and conversations. Nicodemus appears to struggle with it also. In verse 3, we find that Jesus defines who gets to see the kingdom of God. It is those that are "born again." Huh.

What makes me born again? Nicodemus struggled to understand this concept. He wanted this concept to be very concrete and it was very vague and discreet. Sometimes I ask the same question the Nicodemus asked. And then I read in verse 11 Jesus' response. "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" Jesus goes on to say that belief in these things is important and beginning to understand this idea of being born again is invaluable. When we believe in Jesus Christ it isn't just a blind belief...Rather it is an educated belief. In verse 16, which we often quote, we find what we can respond to, that God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will NOT perish but have everlasting life.

I do understand this simple verse and for me to live it out means that I love others and bring this message to them.

Father...Help me understand and believe each of your truths.
Amen.