There’s been a baby boom at the bcec these past few years. It started with one, or two, and the before you know it, the church is filled with kids and babies. Some parents are onto their second kids, other parents are watching theirs go to school. And we’re still waiting for the one family to take the plunge into raising 3 kids…
But all of the parents have their stories and the memories of the birth of their child. The drama, the fear, the praying, the sleepless nights, the complications, the miracle of birth. It’s something altogether amazing watching a child being born. Not just biologically, which definitely seems like a miracle, but emotionally and relationally, the birth of a child transforms a married couple into a different kind of family unit.
But in John 3, Jesus is talking about a spiritual birth. He says to Nicodemus, a teacher of the law,
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(John 3:5-6 ESV)
What is Jesus talking about here? As we’re discovering, Jesus is inviting Nicodemus, and inviting us, to discover what who Jesus really is. You see, like Nicodemus, we can get so caught up in the “facts” that we become blind to the possibility that there may be a greater reality that we are unaware of. The “facts” that we have, are usually only a small part of the picture. Jesus is trying to open up Nicodemus to begin to recognise a greater truth – and inviting him to “Come & See.”
We are not just physical beings. No, God has created us for so much more. There is a spiritual life to us which he desires to unlock and bring to life. So much so, that Jesus tries to draw Nicodemus closer to this realisation, by stating the terms and conditions of a spiritual life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
(John 3:16-18 ESV)
Yes, if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God – then your spiritual life begins. And if you believe, you are saved from death, and you’re brought into a new journey with Christ himself. Come and see. Who is this Jesus that you follow?
And so I ask you – do you continue to feel condemned? By God, by this world, by your enemies or friends? Do you feel spiritually, emotionally, even physically dead? Then come and see Jesus.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
(John 3:35-36 ESV)”