What does it mean to be born again?

Hello To All:

The previous seven essays, beginning with "Am I born again," (May 7, 2012), have all laid the groundwork, for the answer to the question, posed by the title for this essay.  It could be argued that the question has been answered; but, for the sake of clarity, for the sake of truth, let us return to the text of John 3:1-10:

1. "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:"
2. "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."
3. "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."
4. "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?"
5. "Jesus answered, 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."
6. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
7. "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
8. "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."
9. "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"
10. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"

It is always interesting to me, to see how Jesus always goes, directly, to the heart of the matter.  Jesus knows what is in your heart, and He knows what is in my heart. He also knew what was in the heart of Nicodemus; and thus, He said to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Nicodemus, like all believing Jews, was looking for the redemption and restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The previous seven essays, have clearly revealed the truth of this statement. Jesus affirmed this truth, by speaking to Nicodemus, with regards to the "kingdom of God." Jesus spoke directly to what was in the heart of Nicodemus.  Unfortunately, for Nicodemus, he got side-tracked, by the reference that Jesus made to the necessity to be: "born again." Unfortunately for us, as New Testament believers, we have also gotten side-tracked by the phrase: "born again."  The correct subject, of the statement, made by Jesus, is: "the kingdom of God."

As "a master of Israel," (see verse 10), Nicodemus should have made the connection between the future restoration of the kingdom to Israel and being "born again."  Jesus rebuked him because he did not make this connection.  Nicodemus was focused on being "born again."  This focus kept him from seeing the fullness of God's unfolding plan  for Israel.  He should have seen this; but, he did not. Nicodemus, like we often are, was, for the moment, focused on himself - when he should have been fully focused on his Messiah: Jesus Christ.

Let us take another look at the initial response of Nicodemus, to what Jesus said regarding the kingdom of God.  When Nicodemus heard that "except a man be born again" - his focus was captured by that phrase; and only that phrase.  We see this in his response to Jesus, recorded at verse 4: "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?" One of the remarkable things, about this response, is that Jesus did not rebuke him for making this statement; nor did Jesus consider the statement a foolish one.

The essentials of what Nicodemus said, were accurately relating to the historical time line that Jesus was focusing on.  When Nicodemus was speaking about a "second" birth, he was accurately expressing the meaning of what Jesus was referring to.  Nicodemus rightly understood, that the phrase "born again," was referring to a repeat of an event that had already occurred in the historical time-line.  His error was in not connecting this "second" birth, to the future restoration and redemption of Israel. It was this error that eventually was the cause for the rebuke of Nicodemus in verse 10: "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"

Now, let us pause for a moment, and let us ask ourselves the question: Do we have the same understanding that Nicodemus had?  Do we absolutely recognize that the phrase "be born again," is referring to the repeat of an event that has already occurred, at some point in the historical time line?  Nicodemus asked: "can he enter the second time into his mother's womb?"  Nicodemus understood that the second event was similar to the first event.  In fact, the events were so similar, that the second event was essentially a repeat of the first event.  Again, we should remind ourselves, that Jesus did not rebuke Nicodemus for this kind of thinking.

In the response of Jesus (verses 5-8), to the "second time" statement of Nicodemus, we find a confirmation of the right thinking of Nicodemus.  Jesus gives the details regarding this second birth in such a way as to confirm that the second birth is, essentially, a repeat of the first birth.  It is only when Nicodemus still claims ignorance, by saying - "How can these things be?" - that Jesus finally does rebuke him.  Nicodemus is rebuked, because the events of the second birth were already recorded, in scriptures, that as "a master of Israel," he should have been familiar with; and he should have connected being "born again," to this future event, when Israel would be redeemed and restored; and once again the kingdom of God, in the physical realms, would be visible to all peoples.  Nicodemus, not unlike ourselves, was limited by his narrow focus; and was not yet able to see the fullness of God's plan.

I invite you to read and study chapter 36 of the Old Testament  book of Ezekiel.  Nicodemus did not make the connection to this text; and he was rebuked for his failure.  For our purposes, let us look at verses 25-28:

25. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."
26. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
27. "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
28. "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."

When Jesus responded to the "second time" statement of Nicodemus, He gave us a definition of "born again," when He described it as being "born of water and of the Spirit."  As we look at verse 25, of the Ezekiel text, we can see God's use of water in the re-birth of Israel.  As we look at verse 27,of the Ezekiel text, we can see God's use of His Spirit in the re-birth of Israel. And, in verse 28, of the Ezekiel text, we see the Lord our God, redeeming and restoring the nation of Israel: the physical kingdom of God.  Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen.

There are additional parallels that can be drawn between the John chapter three text and the Ezekiel chapter thirty-six text.  I leave those to your personal studies and observations - all being guided and directed by the Holy Spirit, as He guides us into all truth.

When next we gather, I shall, with the help of my Lord Jesus Christ, answer the question: "If I am not born again - then what am I?"

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus