1. Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”  3. Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  4.  “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Part of my pastoral responsibilities involved visiting couples in the hospital following the birth of their child. Of course, I Inquire about the name and weight. Not all births are happy. There are tragedies that sometimes happen at birth.  There have been women who have died at childbirth. There are incidents of babies who were still born or with some handicap. Some were unwanted pregnancies both with single moms or married. One lady gave birth to a child as a result from a rape; some were married but did not want more children because they could not afford another child. As I reminded them God would provide, I can look back now and see how indeed that child was a blessing to them.  

Even though not all births are happy, there are people who want to adopt babies and care for even those with disabilities. I read for them Ps. 139:15-16   “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  God knew us before we were born.   

Stan Guthrie wrote about his experience. His umbilical cord was compressed, cutting off his oxygen as a baby for a time; he was only 3 lbs. 11 oz. He survived, but with cerebral palsy. He couldn't walk or have normal movements. He was dependent upon crutches and throughout his life he received awkward glances from passers-by. He was the brunt of jokes and made fun of in school. He concluded that there was no God.    

While in high school, Stan heard about the world coming to an end very soon, predicted in prophecy. His interest in future things allowed him to read the Bible again and found for the first time that God came to earth as a person who maybe, just maybe, took a personal interest in him. Stan read of a loving God reaching out to people who had turned their backs on Him.  Then he saw what his problem was. "But our sins have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Is 59:2)

For the first time it hit him - the problem wasn't God, it was himself.  God demonstrated His own love toward Stan even while he had a hateful, bitter, sinful heart. He came to understand Christ died for him.  He reached out in faith to receive Jesus and was born again.  His life took on a new meaning.  His worth was not based on what he looked like or what he could do, but how accepted by God.   

What does it mean to be born again? Jesus introduced an important truth for all who believe and follow him as Savior and Lord. This is the subject we will address this week.