Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” vs1-2

An unsaved man can know a lot, but he can’t know Jesus apart from divine revelation. He can be impressed with Him and pay Him deference, but he can’t worship Him as the Son of God with SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING, unless God gives it. Man is shut up to revelation, which shows that he’s a sinner who does not deserve mercy. He needs mercy, but he doesn’t deserve it, nor can he find it himself.

It takes miraculous grace to save the sinner, and He saves by bringing us near. Nicodemaus came to Jesus by night, because he was curious. Inquire some more, and you will learn.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” vs3

You can’t see or know anything, unless you are born from above! True spiritual knowledge is God given, and we must have a new birth, because the first birth is corrupt. We are sinners unable to receive the gospel, because the flesh profits not, and the carnal mind is enmity against God and CANNOT be subject. Rom 8:7, “because the mind of the flesh is hostility toward God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, for not even can it be.” We need a new heart, a new will, and a new understanding. Fortunately, God has decided to give us this new birth, rather than leaving us to perish, and He gives it to all who believe.

It is freely given from heaven and not earned, but it is the prerequisite for entering into the kingdom. Human logic and pedigree cannot help us. Growing up in the church will not assist. Our parents being saved will not make us born again. This is an act of God, and we must look to Him.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

We are sinners, and we are stupid. We are spiritually blind and cannot see God! The one who’ll HUMBLE himself and admit that he needs instruction, he will be taught God’s ways! The one who knows nothing will receive everything, and God will give him light.

He will not change His message, nor will He tone it down: He’ll preach it in the fulness of it’s spirituality, but the inquiring mind shall understand, if we cast aside our wisdom and pedigree; if we cease to be something, and come down to our nothingness, then we’ll understand.

How will you receive God’s word?

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

We must be born of the water and the Spirit - the word and the Spirit of God. Eph 5:25-26, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” We must receive the Scriptures with spiritual enlightenment, and these two work together: it is always, “It is written,” and it is always more than human intelligence and understanding, because the flesh profits nothing.

Lean on these two powers as you preach. Drive home the word, opening its glory, and rely on the Spirit to give life… not the forcefulness of your persona but Almighty God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Finally, everyone born of the Spirit is like the wind. Man has no control over it, but He works through faith in the preacher and the hearer. The preacher prophecies by faith, proclaiming the mind of God in the new covenant [Ezek 37:1-10]. The hearer, receives by faith, and miraculously, He is born again through believing. Faith works through regeneration to receive life, and we enter the kingdom, seeing the glories of God. This is a mystery: we are born again through faith, which the new birth gave us!