Born of Water

“Jesus answered, ‘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)

                John gives us glimpses into the life of Jesus that are not provided by the Synoptic Gospel writers.  One of those glimpses is John 3 – Christ’s encounter with a truth-seeking Pharisee named Nicodemus.  The Bible doesn’t tell us much about him – simply that he was “a ruler of the Jews” and that “this man came to Jesus by night.”  A Pharisee like Nicodemus could not afford to be seen with Jesus during the day, for fear of what his peers might say, so he approached Jesus under the veil of darkness.

                Nicodemus began his encounter with Jesus by applauding His amazing signs and wonders.  Jesus did not mince words when He responded – “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).  Nicodemus was immediately confounded, knowing it’s totally impossible for a human to re-enter the womb after birth.  Seeing he was confused, Jesus helped him understand – “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

                When Jesus spoke of being “born of water,” He was talking about natural birth.  Every human has experienced a natural birth, but not everyone experiences re-birth.  That’s what it means to be born of “the Spirit.”  Simply put – a natural birth is not enough to save you.  Each of us must be born again by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.  How is a person “born of the Spirit?”  By placing his/her faith in Jesus Christ.  You’ve experienced a natural birth, but have you been born again by the Spirit?