John 3:3 Being born twice_
Jesus answered, and said unto him–Verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except one be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 (Emphasized Bible)
Being “born again” is such a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith, that those words could become meaningless to the average listener. Jesus wasn’t talking about joining a church, responding to an altar call, or acknowledging a set of doctrines. Pushing those things aside, the idea of being born a second time is really a marvelous thought. And seemingly impossible.
Nicodemus had approached Jesus and hadn’t even asked a question, yet Jesus immediately cut to the point and gave him what he needed. The Jewish ruler had been struggling with the identity of this “teacher” or “Rabbi.” To see the kingdom (and the promised Messiah) one must have a new birth. When man sinned in the garden, the very foundational disposition of our hearts changed. From the earth we were taken and now to the earth we would return. Prior to that, one could only imagine what life on earth would have been like without the prospect of death or all that the curse had taken from us. From heaven Adam came. Now, because of failure, Adam’s children would be from earth – born in sin. Along comes the son, born of seed from the Father in heaven. The second Adam, born from “above.” Now Jesus is compelling Nicodemus, and all men, to likewise be born from that place. And he is saying it’s mandatory in order to see. Understand. Know the secrets of heaven.
But, just like my head is currently spinning, so was Nicodemus’. How can this be possible? The word “anōthen” according to Strong’s means: From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew — from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top. The same word was used again later in this chapter:
The one who comes from above (anōthen) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. John 3:31 NIV
So it could clearly have a double meaning. Whether from above (heaven) or anew, or again, but in the next verse it was clear what Nicodemus understood this to mean: physical birth, again.
What an incredible thought—a second chance at life! After a failure, everyone wants a fresh start. The miracles that Jesus performed are amazing, but this seems too good to be true. How could it be possible? And, what does it mean? I consider myself to be a believer and one who has had this second birth. I see the kingdom. But as I think about how, or when this occurred, it’s difficult to explain what really happened! But, it did happen. And if you come with me a little further, I’ll show you how…