4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 3:4-7

Explanation

There are several times in the Gospels where Jesus gives a teaching, makes a statement, or acts in a certain way and there are people in the narrative that ask the question that we as the readers are thinking.  Jesus made the statement in verse three that almost begs the question that Nicodemus asked.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

I’m really glad that Nicodemus responds with the most obvious and plane question.  The idea that physical birth has to happen more than once seems ludicrous.  He seems to be attempting to be respectful towards Jesus and so he asks the question.  

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

The answer Jesus gives brings more clarity.  There are two kinds of births.  There is physical birth, signified by water.  We all know the expression that pregnant women say when the baby is coming, and labor is happening.  “My water broke”.  This is physical birth.

There is spiritual birth.  Someone must be born of the Spirit.  It’s the new birth.  Jesus calls it being born again.  This is his answer to Nicodemus.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Without both births no one can enter the kingdom of God.  No one gets to God who is not born again.  Water and Spirit.  Physical and Spiritual.  You must be born again.  Salvation through the new birth is necessary.  It is required to get to God.

Application

The thing about birth is this.  There was a time where you were born physically, and there must be a time where you are born spiritually.  As we shall see, the new birth comes by faith.  You go from not trusting in Christ, to trusting in Christ, believing in Him.  You must be born again.  It is essential.  It is necessary.

Response

Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me by Your Spirit.  Thank you for the new birth.  If there is someone that is hearing this today that doesn’t know if they have been born again, would you allow me or someone else in there lives to point them to You.  Help me to point someone to you today.  Amen.