Rebirth

Often this passage is read and understood simply as God’s monumental love for the world. Especially when V 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” is highlighted. This can often be misconstrued as a one-sighted relationship: God saves man and man must only believe (mentally).

Interestingly enough, In Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus, Jesus states that one “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. In these days, Jews were taught that they were saved because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that a man’s first birth (physical) does not assure him of the kingdom. So what does?

The term “born again” was even questioned by Nicodemus. This “born again” is not referring to a physical birth, as “born of the flesh” is mentioned. The ancient Greek word translated “again” (anothen) can be translated “from above.” This is also the sense in which John used this word in John 3:31 and in John 19:11 and 19:23. Jesus also defines it as “born of water and the Spirit.”

John, continues to explain that belief is more than head knowledge there is an action that follows. Jesus compares the serpent of Numbers 21:4-9 to the Messiah and His work. Both required enough faith for the followers to “look”: as the Israelites looked to the serpent in the dessert to be saved, so too we must look up to Jesus.

In vv 17-21, John describes the difference between living a life representative of being a true believer is choosing to live in the light vs giving way to evil and darkness. Condemnation is then, not what Christ came to do, but what man chooses to put on himself when he doesn’t believe. 

Questions:

What actions are we currently taking that represent our rebirth as believers?

What are some ways that I can start/continue looking up toward Jesus?