Nicodemus
133
Nicodemus had heard the preaching of John the Baptist concerning
repentance and baptism, and pointing the people to One who should
baptize with the Holy Spirit. He himself had felt that there was a lack
of spirituality among the Jews, that, to a great degree, they were
controlled by bigotry and worldly ambition. He had hoped for a
better state of things at the Messiah’s coming. Yet the heart-searching
message of the Baptist had failed to work in him conviction of sin. He
was a strict Pharisee, and prided himself on his good works. He was
widely esteemed for his benevolence and his liberality in sustaining
the temple service, and he felt secure of the favor of God. He was
startled at the thought of a kingdom too pure for him to see in his
present state.
The figure of the new birth, which Jesus had used, was not wholly
unfamiliar to Nicodemus. Converts from heathenism to the faith of
Israel were often compared to children just born. Therefore he must
have perceived that the words of Christ were not to be taken in a
literal sense. But by virtue of his birth as an Israelite he regarded
himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that he
needed no change. Hence his surprise at the Saviour’s words. He was
irritated by their close application to himself. The pride of the Pharisee
was struggling against the honest desire of the seeker after truth. He
wondered that Christ should speak to him as He did, not respecting his
position as ruler in Israel.
Surprised out of his self-possession, he answered Christ in words
full of irony, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Like many oth-
ers when cutting truth is brought home to the conscience, he revealed
the fact that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God. There is in him nothing that responds to spiritual things; for
spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
But the Saviour did not meet argument with argument. Raising
His hand with solemn, quiet dignity, He pressed the truth home with
greater assurance, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
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born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God.” Nicodemus knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and
the renewing of the heart by the Spirit of God. He was convinced that
he was in the presence of the One whom John the Baptist had foretold.
Jesus continued: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” By nature the heart is evil, and