Lenten Reader | Day 11

March 6th, 2023

Born Again

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 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 comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

John 3:3-15

Born Again. The phrase may sound strange at first for some, but if we examine this term, we find that Christ chose the perfect way to capture the core of salvation. Birth is...new life – the welcoming of a new being into the world. Birth is a new beginning.

So it is when we accept life in Christ. From the first instant that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are delivered into a new beginning! A new version of ourselves is brought into existence! Out of darkness and into the light we are delivered.

Once salvation takes place in one's heart, the past is behind, and the old self is dead. A new being is born of the spirit – God's child – one that will be with Him in His realm forever. Born Again. What a beautiful way for our Lord to describe the advent of our eternity with Him!

Perhaps now is a good time to remember your rebirth into the Lord's kingdom and give thanks. Thank God for your salvation. It is a precious gift.

Perhaps now is a good time realize that you have not and would like to be born again in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! Accept Christ's sacrifice for you and come anew into His everlasting life. No one is ever too young, too old, too far gone, or too unwanted. There are no boundaries to the love of God and the rebirth He extends to us! We are all His children.

Let Him give you
A New Beginning!

Hannah DePew