The cries of a newborn are miraculous. The journey this new little life takes, from conception to delivery, is a work of God’s glorious creation. This new life has nothing to do with its own creation, its growth in the womb, nor its entry into the world; it is all by God’s design.
Just as we have nothing to do with our own conception, growth, and delivery, we also have nothing to do with being born again. Our efforts to be good enough to enter the heaven, according to Romans 3:10-12 are futile.
As it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
The delivery of a child requires outside help. The mother may take good care of her body, in order to give the growing baby the nutrition it needs, but even in that, God ultimately is the caregiver. The baby requires help outside itself to enter the world, so the mother arrives at the hospital in order to get the needed expert help. The baby does nothing. Even the mother, at this point is along for the ride, as her body takes over and moves the baby through the birth canal. And though there are steps the new mom is taking to bring her new child into the world, it is truly a miracle, set in motion by God, and aided by those around her to deliver a healthy child.
Nicodemus had nothing to do with his own first birth. There was probably a midwife involved and various female relatives helping his mother through the process of labor, but Nicodemus was merely along for the ride.
When he reaches out to Jesus, he is still “along for the ride”, as God is the One drawing him to Christ. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” So Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, being drawn there, seeking answers to the questions that his religious experience could not answer.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e]blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3).
Jesus immediately gets to the heart of Nicodemus’ inquiry and tells him what he really needs to know. Nicodemus did not need more religion, he had been living a very “good life” according to the standards of the Jewish law. He needed something that, in his own strength, he could not accomplish. He came to Jesus seeking God. Yet even in this, God drew him to Jesus, to have this conversation about rebirth. Nicodemus knew the Old Testament Scriptures and perhaps this passage of needing a new heart came to mind as Jesus told him he must be born again.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36: 25-27).
God is the One sprinkling, cleaning, giving, removing, and causing the new man to walk in obedience. First birth and new birth are all done by God. What about you? Are you still trying to create yourself? Are you attempting to make yourself better? Are you trying to create a new you by reading all the newest self-help books? None of these things will bring you the the hope you are seeking. You must be born again, but again, this has nothing you do, but what God does in you. He draws you, just as He brought Nicodemus to Jesus, He is drawing you to Himself. Will you respond and accept His offer of a new life?