John records the conversation Jesus had at night with Nicodemus, the Pharisee. We are impressed with Christ’s pastoral care for this teacher in Israel. In Chapter 2:25 the evangelist tells us that Jesus knew what was in man. The Savior saw through people to the bottom of their heart. That is why he could help them so effectively. He knew exactly where Nicodemus stood and why this rabbi came to him. Nicodemus went to Jesus at night to have a conversation about the matters of the kingdom of God.  He acknowledges Jesus as a professional. The miracles Jesus had done convinced him that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. Nicodemus wants to discuss his concerns with Jesus as his equal.

Calvin notes that in this nocturnal visit, Nicodemus’ heart was full of thorns and choked by many weeds. From the manner in which the Savior faces this teacher in Israel, we have to conclude that Calvin was right. Christ immediately cuts off the idea that he was just a colleague with whom Nicodemus could have a discussion. A discussion between two ‘professionals’ is out of the question. In his answer the Savior reveals him self as one who has authority. Full of majesty he encounters Nicodemus with the words, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Someone has rightly pointed out that Jesus makes a razor-sharp analysis in this meeting. Nicodemus did not go to the Jordan to be baptized by John. He is convinced that he does not need the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He is a law-abiding Pharisee and has no doubt he will enter the kingdom of God. Exactly because he is so sure of this, he has come to Jesus to discuss the matters of the kingdom.  

But Jesus shatters Nicodemus’ pretensions. He knows what is in man. He therefore confronts this rabbi with the demand to be born again. Nicodemus, you are mistaken. You too need regeneration. Only when one is born again, can he see the kingdom of God.

The word “again” in Greek can mean either “again” or “from above”. John’s usage of the word justifies the conclusion that Jesus has in view the birth from above, from heaven, from God (cf. Jn 1:13; 1 Jn 2:29). Natural birth, being descendants of Abraham, does not give entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Nicodemus has to learn that for entering the kingdom, a birth from above, from God is necessary.

Apparently Nicodemus does not understand the Savior at all. His answer reveals his ignorance: “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus’ answer is a fully justified reproach: “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things?” Nicodemus’ answer makes clear how far this Pharisee has removed himself from the Scriptures. Does the prophecy of the Old Testament not repeatedly testify that the LORD would give his people a new heart and that this would be the miracle of the Holy Spirit? In connection with this we must mention Ezekiel 36:26, 27, where we read: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.”

The Savior proclaims what the scribe Nicodemus could have known. To enter God’s kingdom a birth from above is needed. That birth is the work of the Holy Spirit.

In our text the Lord gives further instruction to Nicodemus. ”I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” With the words “of water” we have to think of the baptism of John. Nicodemus and his colleagues must give up their resistance against this baptism.  Not only prostitutes and tax collectors need this baptism, but also pious Pharisees need it. John’s baptism spoke of regeneration and repentance. Because the Savior testifies of a being born “of water,” Jesus emphasizes to Nicodemus the necessity of John’s baptism. Whoever wants to enter the kingdom of God will have to become a different person. He cannot avoid the birth from above, born of God through the Holy Spirit.

Oh, this birth of the Spirit is a wonderful mystery. It is just as unsearchable as the way of the wind (cf. v. 8). But that the work of the Spirit is unsearchable may not hinder Nicodemus to seek this birth from above. It should strike us that the Savior says this by way of command: “You must be born again.” Nicodemus and his colleagues may not passively wait for it but have to seek this birth from above in faith and trust.

There is no uncertainty as to where they must seek it, because the nocturnal conversation culminates in an incomparable proclamation of God’s saving love in Christ his Son.

Whoever believes in this Son has eternal life (v. 16). Everything needed for one’s salvation is found in him, also the birth of the Spirit. For the Spirit is the Spirit Christ obtained for all who are His. It is the Spirit he poured out on Pentecost to renew their hearts and lives.

What the Savior told Nicodemus that night, is said to us every time we see an infant being baptized. The water of baptism testifies that we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born from above. Our life does not just need a little repair but we have to become totally different people.

We may, however, not passively wait for this birth from above. John 3 tells us that we must seek it in the Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever flees to him, obtains eternal life. He receives the Spirit who fulfills Ezekiel 36:26, 27. The great process of change begins with the Spirit: the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new.

Without that process of change, without this being born of the Spirit, there is no entrance into the kingdom of God. But the water of baptism that speaks of judgment over what we are in ourselves, also proclaims to us what we may have in Christ: the washing away of our sins and the daily renewal of our life!