The miracle of new birth

Today’s Reading: John 3:1-8 (NIV)

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Memory Verse: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 ESV)

Good day!

I have not yet met a person who can clearly remember the day they were born. Our memories are pieced together through the stories and photographs of those who were there, watching the miracle unfold! We share lots of “birth day” stories in our family. I have been blessed to see the live births of three of my five grandchildren. I watched them take their very first breath of life and I heard their first squeal. I held them in my arms when they were just minutes old. Jett James was a handful. He had our son Benjamin’s big head, and furrows his eyebrows and forehead just like his father does just before he cries. Jett was born hungry; this child was ready to eat! I remember standing at the NICU with my mother, gazing at little Joshua David in the incubator just on the other side of the window. How it brought back memories of our son David, and the time he spent in that same NICU seventeen years ago. I was amazed at the head of hair our granddaughter Emily Maria had. She was so covered in matted hair during the birth, that the doctor had a hard time determining where her little face was at. Little Madison Marie cried before she was even free from her mother. Once that child adjusted to the bright light of day, she calmed down and began to grin. I’ve never seen a newborn grin the way Madison Andrew Joseph looked like a larger model of his older brother Joshua. He had bright, inquisitive eyes, and was very alert from the moment he was born. Content and quiet, Andrew spent the first two hours of his life just looking around and watching all of us. He is the happiest and most content baby I have ever known. Do you have precious memories from the day you were born? did.

Nicodemus met Christ in the late night shadows. He had questions that only Jesus could answer. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. While many of his peers rejected the teachings of Jesus, Nicodemus was seeking to better understand the man from Nazareth. He had seen the miracles with his own eyes and yearned to know more. Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Nicodemus did not understand what He meant. How is one born again? This is the question every seeking heart asks before they embark upon the journey of spiritual rebirth in Christ.

When we are born, we have no say in the timing of our entry into the world. Our bodies are pushed out by the powerful contractions of the uterine muscle inside our mother’s abdomen. We emerge, in many instances, not wanting to leave the comfort we once knew. It is a traumatic experience for both mother and child. There is great joy in the bringing forth of new life; yet it is the infant that must learn to acclimate in its new environment. The second birth, rebirth in Christ, is a choice. God offers it to all who will believe, but every heart makes the decision whether to trust Christ and be born again. Like the tiny infant emerging from our mother’s womb, we step into new life, not completely sure of what the future may hold. It is enough to know who holds our future, and we find comfort in knowing Jesus is with us always. Hearts are forever changed and sins are forgiven. The former self is gone, and the new, abundant life is come. We remember with joy the day we said yes to Jesus. Even if you were raised in a Christian home and never had a time of not knowing about Jesus Christ, every heart will come to a place when they will reaffirm their faith.

If you have not yet asked Jesus to become Lord of your life, this is your day to be reborn! I know it can be scary, but faith is the gift of the Spirit that you receive when you believe. The Scripture says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Jesus Christ invites you to be reborn today. If you are ready to take this step of faith, pray this prayer with me now: “Lord Jesus, I believe you are the living Son of God, and you came to free me from my sin. Forgive me for everything wrong I’ve ever done. I love you, and want to serve you all the days of my life. Lord, by faith I accept the salvation you offer and from this moment forward, I promise to follow You. Thank you for saving me. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, you are celebrating your second birth right now; your new birth in Jesus Christ. Congratulations! When you are born, your flesh is given life. When you are reborn in Christ, the Spirit is born afresh in you. Take your first new steps of faith. Find someone you can share your experience with. I would encourage you to talk with a Christian pastor, who can share your joy and walk with you as you begin to experience new life in the Lord.

Happy new birthday to you!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Amen.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

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