The Essential JesusSample

The Bottom Line

PRAY: Lord, in addition to knowing about you, please show me how I can have a relationship with you as I read your Word today.

READ: John 3:1-21

REFLECT: I've worked in nonprofit organizations all my life, and that's given me many opportunities to try my hand at fundraising. I once telephoned a man I had never met; I was hoping to begin a relationship that would someday lead to a contribution. I had my phone script all prepared, but before I got even a few seconds into it the man cut me off, "What's the bottom line; how much do you want?" Uh..

In a way, that's what Jesus does to Nicodemus; he cuts him off and goes to the bottom line: you must be born again (vv. 3, 7). Jesus interrupted Nicodemus's theological script (v. 2) because he wanted to address the real issue: in spite of his high position (v. 1) and religious knowledge (v.10), Nicodemus was outside of God's kingdom (vv. 3, 5). It reminds us that just going to church or even knowing a lot about the Christian faith does no good unless we've been truly born again.

But what exactly does it mean to be born again? Today, millions of people claim they are. Some think of "born-againers" as unpleasant zealots. Others think of them as a voting block to be manipulated. But Jesus defined them as people who believe that he is the Son of God, the one who died on the cross to save humankind from sin (vv. 14-18). And when a person finally accepts that truth, they begin a whole new life.

That was a lot for Nicodemus to swallow all at once (v. 9), and there's no evidence here that he accepted Jesus' message. But the seed planted that night began to grow; later Nicodemus defended Jesus John 7:50-51), and finally he publicly identified himself as a follower of Christ John 19:38-42). Some people put their trust in Jesus the first time they hear the gospel message. For others, believing in Jesus is a process with many steps. But no matter how it happens or how long it takes, the bottom line is this: you must be born again.

APPLY: Where are you in the process of believing in Jesus?

PRAY: Spend a few minutes talking to Jesus, imagining that he has personally addressed this challenge to you: "You must be born again."