Born from Above

Bible Readings

• John 3:1–8

Reflection

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.

He was a Jewish teacher — learned, respected, sincere — yet inwardly unsettled. He sensed that God was at work in Jesus because of the miraculous signs he had seen, but could not yet grasp what that meant for him.

Jesus speaks to him clearly:

“I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Nicodemus hears this as an impossibility. How can someone begin again? How can life be entered a second time?

But Jesus is not speaking of physical birth or human effort. He is speaking of spiritual rebirth — a life given by God Himself.

To be “born again” is not self-improvement or moral repair. It is the gift of new life from above, brought about by the Spirit. Through faith in Jesus, God gives us His Spirit, bringing new life within us. A new beginning that comes when we place our trust in Jesus — when faith opens us to what God alone can do.

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” (John 3:6)

This rebirth is unseen, like the wind — quiet, mysterious, yet real. Its evidence is not perfection, but transformation: new desires, new direction, new life with God.

Nicodemus comes in the darkness, full of questions. He leaves carrying something deeper — an invitation. Over time, we see his faith take shape, until he steps forward openly in loyalty to Jesus (John 19:39-40).

Jesus still meets us where questions begin. And through faith in Him, He offers not advice for living, but new life itself.

You may be reading this with questions, like Nicodemus — or with a faith that longs to be renewed. Wherever you are, Jesus invites you not to strive, but to trust, and to receive the new life He gives.

Prayer

God of new beginnings, thank You that You meet us with grace and truth. By Your Spirit, bring new life within us. Teach us to trust, to receive, and to walk in the life that comes from above. Through faith in Jesus, may we live in the new life You have given us. Amen.