Corona Devo 467

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  ~John 3:3

What (in the world) does it mean to be born again?  

Initially we might ask the same question as Nicodemus:  “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”(John 3:4)

It's not a physical rebirth that must take place to "connect" intimately with Jesus, but a spiritual rebirth.  And, I might argue that there is also a mental rebirth that must take place as well--where we move from thinking I can do it/I can control it/I am the boss...to accepting/realizing/submitting to the Truth that God is truly at the helm in each of those scenarios. 

We can take the physical steps, and partake in the religious routines, and many of us have done that for years.  Maybe even our whole lives.  But what Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus, and the life-changing point He is explaining to us today is that it's not just religious routine/tradition/or surface knowledge of God that will allow us to see the kingdom of God.  And...if that is all that we are going on, we will not see the kingdom of God.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  ~John 3:3

The "born again" idea might not "make sense" to you, but it does to me.  Many of us have the "routines" in place, but lack the relationship with Jesus.  But, when it "snaps" in our hearts, we will know.

Every Sunday of high school I drove alone to church and every Sunday in college I walked to an off-campus church for Sunday service.  I have been a part of Bible studies since high school, but all of these things were (merely) physical and routine spiritual steps.  I was definitely "learning" and growing in knowledge, but it was like I was reading a book about Jesus, but I had not actually met Him and I did not have a relationship with Him.

The activities, songs and even Bible reading felt like the "right things to do" but they did not actually penetrate my soul.  It was not until my mid-twenties that I finally stepped aside from running my own life and allowed Jesus to take the wheel.  

I remember the church, the sermon, and how things mentally/physically/spiritually "snapped" (clicked) in my heart and mind...and it changed everything for me.  Life was no longer about me.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3).  

I praise the Lord that He kept pursuing me through all of my previous years and my religious routines, and still today, I praise Him that regardless of our wanderings or misinterpretations, He still pursues us.  He deeply desires a relationship with us, and entering into that is being born again.  

We've tried hard to instill Jesus into our kids, from prayer, to Bible stories, to listening to Christian music in the minivan. They enjoy church and they've grown up going a lot. But at some point their relationship to Christ (like all of ours) needs to graduate beyond routine obedience into a personal decision about their life and Who is in charge of it. 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  ~John 3:3

One of our sons recently shared with us about a pastor at Christian camp last week that really impacted him.  Our son said something in his heart "snapped" and he felt different after a lesson.  All of a sudden the Bible stories he'd heard all his life became real to him and it "snapped" in his mind.  (I believe he meant that something "clicked" in his mind, but for a middle-school boy, perhaps "snapped" is the correct term.)

However we want to phrase it, at some point Jesus needs to become real to us and our need for Jesus needs to become real to us. That "snapped" in our son's heart last week.  (Praise God!)

He won't see the kingdom of God because of what his parents do or have taught him about it.  There is only One Way, and I pray it "snaps" in all of our hearts today.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  ~John 3:3

This verse is not a metaphor.  And truth-be-told, the reality of this verse frightens me because we each know people, know friends, know family, know ourselves.  

People who have sat in the pews each Sunday for years. Who have gone to Sunday school as children or completed confirmation or communion classes. They have checked the religious boxes off but their heart has not "snapped" for Jesus yet. 

John 3:3 reminds us that each of us has a decision to make. (...Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  ~John 3:3)  If we cannot remember taking that step or a moment when our heart and mind "snapped" and all of the previous teachings and routines came together to make sense---then it has not occurred. 

And we will know, because we are never the same. 

Thank goodness.  I never want to go back to where I was without Jesus.  His grace, mercy, love and acceptance of me are what propels me to tell anyone willing to listen (or read) about Him.  Once we are born again in Him, we can begin to see the kingdom of God.  Not just when our time on earth is finished, but right now, today.  

Lord, cause something to "snap" in our hearts and minds for You today.  The seeds of faith can begin with obedience, routine, and tradition, but at some point we all must decide to be "born again" in You.  I pray for Your Word, love, mercy and grace to click, and do not let us ever be the same.  Amen.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com