Pentecost 2022 – The Spirit Gives New Life
If only Nicodemus (John 3.1-8) had opened himself to Old Testament prophecies (like those of Ezekiel 36.24- 29) he would have been expecting the Messiah to bring new spiritual birth to the people. The Spirit of God entering the heart, giving new life to the otherwise dead human spirit. Ezekiel prophesied about a day when cleansing and inner life would become available, by God’s Spirit, in a new way.
Jesus speaks of this experience, calling it that of being ‘born again’ (John 3.3). Jesus says, the new birth is a precondition for benefiting from the saving reign of God: ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ This was a challenging message for Nicodemus.
How could a pious religious expert like Nicodemus need such a radical change? This transformation was needed for Nicodemus and is needed for every heart, Jesus says. This is the great scandal & grace of the Spirit. A scandal and gift to wonder at every Pentecost. The scandal: despite all our human effort, we can’t generate spiritual life in our own hearts. The grace: Christ gifts us his Spirit, who brings our human spirits alive, and makes our hearts receptive to God’s word. What a kindness! What a wonderful experience!
Reflection Questions
1. Read John 3.1. Nicodemus was a Pharisee (an expert in the law of Moses and Jewish traditions). Pharisees were often viewed by the community as faith heroes. They went to great lengths to preserve their purity and holiness. He was also a member of the Jerusalem ruling council (the Sanhedrin). And, he was a highly regarded teacher, perhaps one of the most significant and trusted religious leaders of his day, ‘Israel’s teacher’ (John 3.10).
If this was Nicodemus’ position, what might his motives have been to come to see Jesus? Why do you think he came at night rather than in open day?
2. How does Nicodemus view Jesus, in John 3.2?
3. Take some time to review John chapter 2. In this chapter Jesus paints himself as the Christ who will turn the water of Jewish ritual (symbolised by the six stone ceremonial water jars, John 2.6), into the new wine of life in his kingdom (John 2.9).
He also declares his authority over temple worship (John 2.13-17), and describes his own body as the new, better, temple (John 2.19-22).
So by word and deed, Jesus claims to fulfil, and be superior, to the faith institutions of the Jewish people. He fulfils and offers something better than cleansing ritual and temple worship.
Now read John 3.1-8. What experience is more necessary than participation in religious practice?
4. If anyone could expect to enter God’s kingdom, through human religious achievement, it was Nicodemus. But Jesus says to him:
‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again’
‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’
(John 3.3,5)
What does Jesus’ challenge say about all Nicodemus’ religious achievements?
5. Jesus is not talking about a literal, physical, re-entering of a mother’s womb and new physical birth. He is talking about the Holy Spirit infusing new life into the otherwise dead human spirit (John 3.6).
Jesus implies, then, that we are spiritually dead until Christ, by the Holy Spirit, gives our human spirits life. Our hearts are lifeless until the Holy Spirit softens them to make them sensitive to God’s word and commands.
For a more detailed explanation of this transition from spiritual lifelessness to new life you may read Ephesians 2.1-10.
a. Why is this teaching, ‘you must be born again’, so difficult for a man life Nicodemus?
b. How does Jesus’ teaching ‘you must be born again’ challenge our efforts to renew ourselves by religious achievements, or disciplines, today?
6. The Old Testament offers a hope of complete renewal under the reign of a new king.
New hearts for God’s people. New resurrection bodies. A new just society. A renewed earth. Complete renewal.
Jesus and the New Testament make clear that regeneration of the inner person, being born again, is given now in this life to all followers of Jesus. Since the day of Pentecost new birth flows out into the world, through the Gospel, as hearts are joined to Christ.
Whereas some other aspects of this kingdom Hope will not be fulfilled until Christ returns.
Take some time to explore this kingdom hope, writing down insights you discover.
Ezekiel 36.25-27. Jeremiah 31.31-35.
Isaiah 9.1-7. Isaiah chapter 11. Zechariah 9.9-12.
2 Samuel 7.12-16.
Daniel 12.1-3.