Jesus Slayed Sinners That Saints Would Be (Re-) Born

What Did Jesus Do?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again
he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3.3

Poor Nicodemus, he came to Jesus secretly by night to speak with the Lord about what he (actually he said “we”) knew about him (v. 3.2). And then Jesus proceeded to explain that Nicodemus, and whoever else he spoke for (other teachers of Israel?) knew essentially nothing about the kingdom of God (v. 3.10). Nicodemus, like many, was impressed by the signs Jesus had been performing. But signs were of no use to someone who was not willing to die. Unless one is prepared to surrender all, including one's very life, the kingdom of God will remain closed to them. Dying to sin and self is absolutely essential if one is to be born again. Jesus came to slay sinners so that Saints would be born.

Nicodemus, who knew nothing of birth other than that which everyone experiences by virtue of being conceived in, and born of, their mother's womb, was totally blown out of the water when Christ told him that re-birth was necessary to enter the kingdom of God, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?” The only birth Nicodemus understood involved the flesh, and nothing more. Jesus was trying to teach the aged Pharisee that the kingdom of God requires birth by the Holy Spirit, and nothing less.

The old teacher of Israel had come seeking to speak with Jesus about what we (the Pharisees and teachers of Israel) knew, only to be disabused of his vanity—he knew nothing of the kingdom—they spoke, or sought to speak, of what in fact they did not know. In contrast, the Lord could truly (actually truly, truly) speak of what we (the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) had seen and knew—his witness was true—but Nicodemus could not yet receive it, he was not yet born again. The truth is, Jesus came to slay sinners so that Saints would be born.

Though Nicodemus drops out of the narrative after his troubling encounter with Jesus, the old man re-enters the Gospel on the far side of the cross, after the Lord has been crucified (John 19.38-42). I find this very encouraging, because all of us (Nicodemus included) must come to the cross and surrender all, including our life, that we might be born again by the Holy Spirit in the power and truth of the Resurrection. For Jesus came not only to slay sinners, but, of course, to be slain himself for sinners' sake, that in and through his Resurrection sinners should and could be re-born as Saints.

Only the Holy Spirit can induce sinners to surrender their lives; only the Holy Spirit can give new life through Christ. Only when the flesh is put to death can the spirit live, and live eternally. Dying to self is the biggest barrier to salvation, and it can only be overcome by the Spirit. No decision, no effort on our part, can accomplish what is necessary. If there was another way, Jesus would never have had to endure the cross and the grave. Jesus slayed sinners so that Saints would be born.

And what is re-born of the Spirit is not any kind of new and improved version of the old self. Those who are reborn in Christ are wholly new creations; the old has passed away, and the new has come (see 2Corinthians 5.16-17). This is THE truth about what Jesus did, and what must happen in order for anyone to be saved. Only by sharing in Christ's sufferings and death is it possible to attain resurrection (rebirth) from the dead (see Philippians 3.10-11).

Let's not hold on to what we think we know, but take hold of Christ alone. Let's let go of our life and receive new life in Jesus. After all, he did come to slay sinners like us, that we should become Saints of God.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4