Prayer – Lord, teach me how to talk to others about the Kingdom of God! If they ask, “How do I enter or become part of the Kingdom of God?” what can I say?
There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious
leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus.
"Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach
us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you." Jesus
replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see
the Kingdom of God." "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus.
"How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born
again?" Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of
God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human
life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised
when I say, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as
you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going,
so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit." John
3:1-8
Meditate. Consider God’s Spiritual Kingdom.
 |
| Are you listening to the Holy Spirit? |
How can an old man…be born again? What did Nicodemus
mean by an old man? My husband just turned 80 yesterday…but he doesn’t seem
like an “old man” most of the time! The experience of being born again is best
for young people—but it is really essential for everyone at any age. No one is
too old to be born again…to begin a new spiritual life with God. That is really
what is being discussed in this dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus, who came
secretly to speak with Jesus. This Pharisee didn’t want the other Pharisees to
know that he was talking to Jesus. They didn’t trust Jesus—but Nicodemus was
seeking the truth, especially about the relationship between Jesus and God.
Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit is the one who instigates spiritual birth.
That is what “being born again” is all about.
How do you enter the Kingdom of God? You must repent of
your sins—confess them directly to God in prayer. That action results in “being
born again” and allows a person to become part of the Kingdom of God—to be part
of His chosen family. Funny thing is, once again, it is our choice. God gives
us the opportunity to choose for ourselves if we are willing to repent and want
to eternally serve Him. Choose today whom you will serve.
Verse of Salvation ~ For God loved the world so much
that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will
not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge
the world, but to save the world through him. - John 3:16-17
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
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