Nicodemus was a Jewish Rabbi, member of the Sanhedrin, and one of the richest men in Jerusalem. He is a type of many people, even religious ones, in our world today. They profess that Jesus is a good moral man, a great Teacher and Prophet, but not the Son of God.

Some people take pride in the country, the class or the family that they are born into. Others are religious or perform many good works, thinking that this would get them to heaven. In the natural, Nicodemus has these impressive attributes and qualities. Yet in John chapter 3, Jesus introduces a spiritual truth where an individual needs to be born again to see the kingdom of God. Jesus is not referring to natural birth, but new spiritual birth – to be born again of both water and Spirit. The “water” here is not water baptism, though water baptism is an important outward ordinance of the new covenant. Rather, the “water” here speaks of God’s Word. As Ephesians 5:26 says, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Also, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and if we repent, put our faith in Christ and what He has done for us on the cross, our hearts and spirit experience a new birth.

Though Nicodemus is a knowledgeable and religious person, yet He needs a revelation of what it means to be born again. His eyes of spiritual understanding needs to be opened. In Mark 10:27, Jesus said, “ …With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Thank God! There is evidence that later on, Nicodemus believed and accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour!

In our pluralistic world, the gospel of Jesus Christ may not be politically and culturally correct. Yet, we must proclaim the truth and light of the glorious good news! In John 14: 6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is only one Saviour. There is only one door of salvation! We must be born again! The encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus reflects one of the most important truths in the Word of God. Being born again is not a cliché. Jesus is not talking about a physical rebirth of entering again into our mother’s womb. He is talking about being born of water and of the Spirit, according to John 3:5. It is being born from above!

We want to invite you to be born again. We were born physically, when we came into this world. But we need to be born again of the water of the Word and of the Spirit – in order to enter the Kingdom of God! We need to ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour. As the Holy Spirit brings conviction,

Admit the fact that you are a sinner, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23); Be willing to repent from disobedience and rebellion against God, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3); Believe that Jesus is your only Saviour, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16); Confess and trust, and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).

Please pray this prayer and do mean it with all your heart:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I now recognize that I am a sinner and I am in need of salvation. I accept the sacrifice You paid for me on the cross of Calvary and I allow Your precious shed blood to cleanse me. I now surrender myself to You and invite You to be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart. Take full control of my life and help me live and serve You from this moment forward. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen."

If you prayed this prayer in all sincerity, you are now a child of God. We encourage you to find fellowship in a Bible believing, Spirit filled church and obtain a copy of the Bible and that you read it diligently so that you will be the kind of Christian God wants you to be.