John 3: 1-10
One man, Nicodemus, who had seen the Lord Jesus, wanted to learn more, but seemed to fear to talk with Him when the men who were against Him would hear, so he came where Jesus was at night. This man was a master, or teacher, and a ruler, one in charge over the people, so a wise and well-known person.
He believed Jesus had power from God, but did not know Him as the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus’ words to him that night were written that all since may learn too.
Jesus told him every, one must have new life to be in God’s kingdom, or holy rule. That man had natural life, the same as we, but Jesus said he must be “born anew”, “of water and of the Spirit”. The man knew better than we, what was meant by that “water”, for he knew about the many washings, of which they were told in their laws, to make them fit to honor God.
Yet those washings could only cleanse them outwardly and for a time, and make them know all must he pure for God. But water itself could not clear the heart of sins, but their scriptures, which we also have, taught that God’s words were the “water” to clean the heart.
One psalm taught much of God’s words, and this man would have known heat from his youth, for it was their lesson book with a verse for each letter of their alphabet. In that, a young man was told to “take heed” (to pay attention to and believe) “according to Thy Word”. Psa. 119:99BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9).
It was also told that God’s word, “quicken”, which means give life:
“Quicken Thou me according to Thy Word”, “Thy Word hath quickened me” (v. 25, 50).
Water cannot help us except we use or take it ourselves; so every boy, girl, man or woman must “take”, or believe God’s words in the heart, what causes each to repent of his own sin that he may be given God’s Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus told of the Spirit words easy for us to understand. said,
“The wind bloweth where it listeth (pleases), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
No one can see the wind or air, but all feel its motion, and power, and know it is here: so we cannot see the Spirit from God, but His action is real for all who believe God’s words, giving, them a new life.
Our natural life is a wonder to us how much greater wonder the new life given of the Spirit from God: we can only believe Him, and all His words and so learn more of Him.
ML 06/16/1946