Readings for today: John 3-5
What does it mean to be “born again?” We talk about it in my country like it’s an abstraction. A spiritual rebirth that doesn’t seem to ripple into the rest of our lives. Poll after poll suggests there is no significant difference between the way Christians and non-Christians live. And far too many who claim to be “Christian” seem content to relegate their faith to an occasional Sunday morning experience, if they are part of a church at all. What a contrast to the men and women I meet over here in East Africa! Christians over here often pay a terrible price for their faith. They are persecuted. They are imprisoned. They are tortured. They are killed. Not only that but they often lose jobs and livelihoods. They are ostracized by their communities. Cast out of their families. Following Jesus costs them everything they hold dear.
So why do they do it? Because they are born again. Not of flesh and blood but of water and Spirit. They become a new creation so the old creation no longer holds any attraction for them. Their eyes are opened so why would they close them again? They’ve experienced new life so why would they ever turn back to death? They’ve been given a new identity. One that transcends family, tribe, and nation. They’ve received a new righteousness so why would they ever want to turn back to a life of sin? Like the woman at the well, they have tasted the Living Water. They drink from a fountain that never runs dry. They’ve been healed. They’ve been set free. This is all part of what it means to be born again. It’s what Jesus offered Nicodemus. It’s what Jesus offered the Samaritan woman. It’s what Jesus offers to you and me.
How does one become born again? We place our faith in Jesus Christ. We look to Him for our salvation just as Israel looked to the bronze snake Moses lifted up in the wilderness. We believe Jesus was lifted up on the cross in our place. We believe Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. We believe Jesus satisfied the justice of God. We believe Jesus was judged and condemned for us. All those who believe in Jesus and His saving work will be saved. Will be born again. Will be given eternal life. This is the promise of God.
Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark 1:40-45, 2, 3:1-21, Luke 5:12-39, 6:1-19