Tag Archives: Nicodemus

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Too Late To Change?

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READ: John 3:1-8,13-16

Nicodemus said to [Jesus], “How can a man be born when he is old?” —John 3:4

There are sayings in many languages about the difficulty of changing long-established habits. In English, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” In French, “Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire la grimace” (You can’t teach an old monkey how to pull a funny face). In Spanish, “El loro viejo no aprende a hablar” (An old parrot can’t learn to speak).

When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be “born again” to “see the kingdom of God,” he replied, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:3-4). Professor and author Merrill Tenney suggests that Nicodemus was saying, in effect, “I acknowledge that a new birth is necessary, but I am too old to change. My pattern of life is set. Physical birth is out of the question and psychological rebirth seems even less probable . . . . Is not my case hopeless?”

Jesus’ reply included these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (v.16). That is the offer of new life and a new beginning for anyone, young or old.

Whatever our age or situation in life, with God’s power, it’s not too late to change. —David McCasland

Father, old habits are hard to break, new ones
are harder to learn, and sometimes we don’t want
to do either. Thank You for Your faithfulness to
continue teaching us new ways, Your ways.

Because God is powerful, change is possible.

Bible in a year: Genesis 25-26; Matthew 8:1-17

Insight

Nicodemus was one of Israel’s religious rulers and leading teachers (v.10). He apparently turned to Christ and even assisted Joseph of Arimathea with Jesus’ burial (19:38-39).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – What Does It Mean to Be “Born Again”?

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Charles Stanley

John 3:1-16

In today’s passage, the Lord instructs Nicodemus that no one can enter into the kingdom of God unless he is first “born again.” Jesus gave the term a spiritual meaning that may be familiar to us today, but Nicodemus didn’t understand. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. “He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (John 3:4).

Though he was a Pharisee and a teacher, Nicodemus found it hard to grasp what Jesus was describing. And I suspect many people—including believers as well as unbelievers—don’t truly comprehend the concept any better today. So let’s take the time to understand this important idea.

“Born again” is an apt description of what it means to trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our lives are not changed when we enter into a relationship with Christ; rather, our old lives are effectively ended, and we are completely reborn in the Spirit.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense to say that we are “born again.” It means that we are no longer who we once were in sin. Rather, we are a new creation that exists to glorify God (2 Cor. 5:17).

Does your life in Christ reflect the glory of God, or are you still clinging to your old ways of living? It is important to understand that the Lord does not simply want to change you; instead, He wants to remake you—there’s a big difference. As you pray today, ask for the courage to surrender to God and to live a life that proclaims your old self has died. He desires to make you new!

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Story of Nicodemus

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Charles Stanley

Bible Study: John 3:1-21

He was uber religious, a teacher of the law. And he was convinced that Jesus was sent from God. But Nicodemus was having trouble separating what he’d believed all his life from what Jesus was teaching. Frankly, it’s the trouble we all have with Jesus: separating what we’ve always believed from what He says.

Jesus doesn’t mince words. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (v. 3). It was startling. Nicodemus had always believed that you got into the kingdom by being Jewish and keeping the law. Jesus says, “No, the only way you can get into My kingdom is by getting ‘birthed’ in.” No one enters the kingdom of God by being born into a certain group, being religious, or performing morally for the Lord. We enter physical life through human birth, and the kingdom through spiritual rebirth. Period.

It’s no easier for us than it was for Nicodemus. Grace is counterintuitive, thus confusing. The only answer to spiritual death is spiritual life—not performance. Dead people can neither improve nor perform. That was Jesus’ point.

God’s grace is undeserved, unexpected, and illogical. No one has ever earned it. Not once. Yet, it’s offered freely by God. That’s why it’s so amazing.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. If your tradition, history, or religion tells you one thing but Jesus tells you something else, you have found yourself in Nicodemus’s predicament. Which will you choose to believe, and why?

2. Jesus told Nicodemus that simply being religious wasn’t enough for eternal life. How does spiritual rebirth differ from being religious? Why do you think Jesus said being born into a brand-new life was a requirement for entering His new kingdom?

3. Logic and religion seem to insist that we do something to earn eternal life with God. Why do you think we so strongly resist the idea of grace? And why do you think God insists upon grace rather than our performance as the way for us to gain heaven?