Born again
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV)
The Pharisee asked Nicodemus bewilderedly:
What do you mean by that? exclaimed Nicodemus. How can an old man return to his mother's womb and be born a second time? But how can such a thing happen? asked Nicodemus. According to John 3
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)
1. Rebirth is a birth from above
She is born of God and a central concept in the Christian faith. At its core, it is about anyone who believes in Jesus Christ experiencing a radical inner change. It is the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ. Rebirth is a renewal of the heart and consists of two processes:
- From the human side, it means turning away from evil (from sin) and turning toward the divine, to Christ the Savior (conversion).
- From God's side, it means rebirth: We are born of God. God comes and creates new life.
Rebirth is a complete new creation and can only be attained through faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no other way: Whoever does not repent and is not born again through water and the Spirit of God cannot enter the kingdom of God!
2. The Example of Rebirth
Here is a reflection with Jesus and the woman at Jacob's well; she had come to draw water.
She was surprised that Jesus asked her for water, because normally the Jews did not want anything to do with the Samaritans. She replied: 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me to give you a drink?'
Jesus answered her: 'If you knew what God wanted to give you and who is asking you for water here, you would ask me for the water that gives life. And I would give it to you.'
Jesus took this opportunity to point her to the water of life for her soul and said: 'But whoever drinks of this water that I give them will never be thirsty again. This water will become a spring within them, flowing into eternal life.'
The woman took Jesus' words very seriously and then said: Give me this water that you speak of! But when Jesus revealed her adulterous life, she was shocked: You have had five husbands, and the one you are now with is not your husband. Then you spoke the truth. And she received what renewed her life and was radically changed. According to John 4:3-18
3. Water, a Life-Giving Source
The woman made a U-turn and entrusted her entire life to Jesus, becoming a life-giving source for everyone around her. She runs into the city and calls out to everyone: Come with me! I have met a man who knows everything about me.
Comment Mayer writes: Water is received, a source gives!
The result: Many became believers.
The result: Many became believers.
They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4,42 (ESV)
4. Final Thoughts
If you want to entrust your life to Jesus Christ today, then ask Him for it:
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 (ESV)
Listen – come – take: for free!
4. Final Thoughts
If you want to entrust your life to Jesus Christ today, then ask Him for it:
- Tell him that you want to believe in him
- Ask him to forgive your guilt and sin. He also gave his life for you
It is so important to Jesus that, in the fourth-to-last verse of the Bible, he once again invites all seekers when he says:
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 (ESV)
Listen – come – take: for free!
Author: Egon Waechter
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