Sincere Searching

John 3: 7b-15

 Born Again

⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.^"

^{Nicodemus was searching for answers and was not afraid to probe, even turning his discussion with Jesus into a verbal wrestling match. How else could he (or we) understand unless we seek and ask? "Born again!" Should this be  taken literally? The Son of Man lifted up (crucified). Really?  We can see why Nicodemus had to keep asking for clarification. Thank God he did, for it helped us come to a greater understanding and appreciation of our own relationship with God, for we too as baptized believers have been born again as sons and daughters of God.}

^{Bro. Rene}

^{Dear God, as we reflect on the Resurrection and our own positions as your special children, help us to come to a greater understanding of our relationship with you and with our fellow brothers and sisters.. Amen}