“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
The tragedy in the life of Nicodemus the Pharisee was that night when he approached Jesus.
I suppose Nicodemus must have expected Jesus to applaud him for all his human achievements. Unfortunately he was disappointed by what Jesus told him.
Nicodemus was apparently a learned Jew, an authority on the scriptures, a religious and well-respected man in the community. A man who people looked up to for counsel and wisdom. But sadly, he could not comprehend the simple truth of a spiritual birth in order to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus brushed aside everything Nicodemus has achieved and accomplished in the natural and he told him Nicodemus! You need to understand a simple truth; unless you are born-again you cannot be part in the Kingdom of God.
No.1,He said: You cannot see.
No.2, He said: you cannot enter.
In other words you are disqualified!!
Nicodemus asked Jesus, of course innocently; “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born? How can these things be?”
Jesus answered and said unto him, “Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things? That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.”
I believe, the greatest moment in the life of Nicodemus was that night when he discovered God’s way of salvation. That night when he stood helpless before Jesus despite his religiosity! Despite his head knowledge! Despite his background! Despite his good works and high authority! (Ref: 1Cor.2:14… The natural man cannot receive any revelation knowledge from God.)
The gospel is preached by the power of the Spirit—The Spirit reveals all things to only the person who is spiritually alive. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God.
Nicodemus discovered that all these things were considered filthy rags before God. Jesus said; “Nicodemus, unless you are born from above there is no hope for you! Your religion will not take you to heaven! Your position will not take to heaven. Your knowledge will not find you a place in heaven.
You know what? You can be so religious, you can be so morally upright with good living behind you. That is merely educating the flesh and when you have done all that at the end of it all, it is still just flesh! (the natural man).
People go by what they see from the outside, the world is impressed by cosmetic appearance. But God is looking at your heart. Is there an inward change in us? An inward transformation?! An inward regeneration can only come by a spiritual birth- being born from above. The fruit of the Spirit can only be produced through a spiritual birth!
Nicodemus was literally bankrupt when he stood before Jesus. Perhaps it was a mind-blowing encounter for Nicodemus. All this while he has been deceived into thinking that he was sailing on the right path. Although he knew the scriptures in perfection in his head knowledge and religiously, he couldn’t understand the masteries hidden in the scripture. You know what? Unfortunately, he did not understand the SPIRIT behind the scriptures because he was not BORN-AGAIN and that was the saddest and greatest tragedy of his life. When we are not born again from above you will not be able to access revelational knowledge from the Word.
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is a mission minded pastor who carries an apostolic anointing who preaches and teaches an uncompromising gospel with boldness. A member of ECCM (Malaysia) Spiritual Adviser & overseer to various ministries and churches. An itinerant speaker. He is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’ Currently he worships at C3 Subang.
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Rev Dr Jai Kumar
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