Showing posts with label Nicodemus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicodemus. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Nicodemuses

A deeper understanding.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.'
8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicode'mus said to him, "How can this be?"
10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."-John3:7-15

The Nicodemuses of this world seek for something, for knowledge or for truth that can be tangibly seen, heard or touched. Sometimes, if an answer is given to them but contrary to their expectations, either they turn away or go deeper down 'the rabbit hole.' Jesus is inviting us all to accept one truth - He is the Lord and Savior. Why, then, is this truth so difficult for some? What are they seeking exactly?

Image courtesy: dreamstime


Monday, April 13, 2015

Born of the Spirit

Born of the Spirit.
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.[b] 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born[c] from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind[d] blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”-John3:1-8

To be born of the Spirit, one must be incorruptible. But our nature is corruptible. How then can we be born of the Spirit. It is by believing in Jesus and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. But it doesn't end there. I have known some people who believes in Jesus, accepts Him as Lord and Savior but actually lives a dissipated life. Jesus is constantly inviting us to live out the promises of our baptism as God's children. These promises do not make us slaves of Do's and Don'ts, rather, it is the only way to live a beautiful and fulfilling life.

Image courtesy: artist