February 8, 2023
When Water Doesn’t Satisfy
“Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
John 3: 4-7 (NASB)
Some people are gifted with “green thumbs” in plants and flowers. I don’t have this gift. I know plenty of people who do. I know many people who are gifted in trying to determine how strong a plant can be by lack of care. For the most part though, plants seem to do just fine with simple water. Water helps them thrive and grow. Every now and then though something happens to them. If you don’t provide that necessary ingredient (fertilizer, bug control, or antifungal), they will surely die. Determining that necessary ingredient is vital to its life. It’s not just about the water. It needs more. Jesus is about to give Nicodemus a lesson in what the necessary ingredient is for eternal life. It will come with some new thinking on his part…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus used the illustration which Nicodemus would be familiar. There was a stumbling block for him though. You see, Nicodemus would have been familiar with the aspect of Jesus’ statement of water. Water was used in Old Testament figuratively for cleansing and/or renewal. He knew this well. But these references would also have connections to the usage of the word “spirit” as well. The two were interconnected. Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand that there was a need for cleansing. Spiritual cleansing. Water alone wouldn’t cut it.
Throughout time, some have insinuated this water was a figurative illustration. It referred to the child birthing process. This meant that one had to be born first and then a new spiritual birth. This is not a good illustration though. There are far too many inferences to spiritual cleansing as seen this chapter. Begin in verse 3, “…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” in verse 5, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” and finally in verse 7, “‘You must be born again.” There is the essence of something more than physical birth as part-qualifier for eternal life. Also, consider two things; if a child in womb had never been through the birthing process, how would the child qualify for salvation? The physical birth is missing. Secondly, the birthing process would add something to salvation. This would be an element of human effort, hence, human work. It cannot and therefore not true. All salvation comes through the completed work of Jesus Christ!
One thing is clear then. Our salvation is solely through the completed work of God. We have to admit here that water needed something. Jesus states, “I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Folks we need something more, and its more than just our human effort. Water doesn’t cut it. It is the finished work of Christ. No matter how much cleansing with water, we still fall short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ makes the difference. So today, thank God for His plan. Thank Jesus for His gift of salvation. Thank the Holy Spirit for sealing us and using us each day. Today, just be thankful!