“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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. 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?” John 3:1-4
Many of the Jews knew that the coming Messiah was to be a King who would sit on David’s throne in the prophesied Kingdom. However, for many, their anticipation of the King and His kingdom was influenced by a worldly hands-on approach. This misconception among the Jews, particularly the Pharisees, led to a flawed understanding of what was accomplished under the Law. The literal act performed under the Law, was not actually purifying or cleansing. For example, in Numbers 19, when someone would touch a dead body, a bone, or go into the tent of someone who had died, they were considered unclean for seven days. There were certain ceremonial ordinances that required a hands-on type of act. They could see this and explain the protocol perhaps but could not see the actual cleansing taking place. The act itself was significant because it was commanded by GOD and obedience to that command should reflect one’s faith, however, it was God who would cleanse the individual. There was no special power in the ashes that would be sprinkled. The 3rd and 7th days were not magical, they were simply the days that God commanded. By obeying the when and how, the unclean were able to be clean again. They could not see the cleansing or know the inner workings of GOD, but the cleansing took place, nonetheless.
This may help us understand the confusion of Nicodemus and his response to the statement Jesus made about being born again. Nicodemus understood the statement of Jesus literally, leading him to ask, “can a man enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” John 3:4
Nicodemus was a sincere Pharisee asking an honest question, still, he could only connect the words of Jesus to a literal birth. But Jesus had another birth in mind.
“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.” John 3:5
Being born again is identified as necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of God, therefore, it was vitally important that Nicodemus understand what Jesus meant about being born of the water and the Spirit. The teaching in V3 is instruction on what man must do to see the Kingdom of God. What Jesus does in V5 -9 is explain what it means to be born again.
Being that man has already been born in the flesh dismissesany notion of a 2nd fleshly birth being involved in the new birth.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6
Being born again indicates that a change must take place. The fleshly, physical man is not suitable to enter the Kingdom of GOD. When speaking of the resurrection, Paul writes, “…flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God and neither does corruption inherit incorruption.” 1st Corinthians 15:50
This fleshly body is not fit for heaven, however, what resides within us may experience a birth that makes us suitable for heaven.
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:7 Just because it cannot be seen, tasted, or touched, does not mean it cannot happen. Jesus offers the wind as an example. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
The Pharisees prided themselves on having an explanation for everything, but Jesus says, consider the wind. The wind could not be denied. It could be heard, even felt, but concerning its comings and goings, no one could tell. Jesus teaches that the Spirit’s work is the same. We cannot see the actual work of the Holy Spirit renewing and creating in us a clean heart when born again. When baptism takes place, we can see the individual being buried into the water and being resurrected, but we cannot see the inward work of the spirit and the inward change that is taking place. However, the evidence of a changed life should be unmistakable. Like the example given earlier from Numbers 19, regarding those who came in contact with the dead. Certain things were required but there was no special authority in the ashes that would be sprinkled, neither did the 3rd and 7th days hold any superior power. The act itself was significant and necessary because GOD commanded it. Obedience to that command should be a result of one’s faith, however, it was God who would cleanse the individual based upon his or her faith. That faith was demonstrated by obedience. Concerning baptism, the power is not in the water itself but in the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus enables the Spirit to work upon our heart because of what His shedding of blood accomplishes, when man responds in faith. Being born of the water is a demonstration of our faith, enabling the work of the Spirit. This is not something that is forced on us but happens as a result of our obedient faith. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus accomplished what the word of GOD claims that it did, and we respond to that belief by obeying.
Prospering Pathway 
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