After Jesus Death, Burial and Resurrection, Jesus Opened the Understanding of Redemption to His Disciples - Part 1600

Jesus told Nicodemus -- "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

And further, except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God. As the scriptures state, that which is flesh (Adam’s offspring) is flesh and that which is Spirit is Spirit. The offspring of JESUS the Christ the promised SEED of the holy Spirit. Therefore, as the scriptures point out, do not be astonished when I say these things.

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, "Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Nicodemus saith unto Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind blows where it lists, and thou hears the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Art thou a master of Israel, and know not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved ... he that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the "Name" of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:1-19)
Herein, people's understanding of spiritual things is likened to a wind which one sometimes hears and feels the breath thereof but cannot tell from where it came from or conversely, where it is going. A man’s life is likened to a vapour of smoke. It appears for a moment in time and then disappears. We were born with a blank slate and through life we accrue wisdom as we sojourn in this kernel of flesh -- which flesh is appointed to death. The death sentence incurred upon all men is a consequence of Adams disobedience in the garden.

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

This is why this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is so important -- because it sets the stage for God's free gift of salvation, wherein after His kindness and love, He Himself became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

Thus, as Jesus told Nicodemus -- a man must be born again or he cannot see nor understand these things. When Nicodemus said, "How can I being old enter a second time into my mother's womb and be born?" JESUS responds by stating, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." You see JESUS said that for us to enter God’s Kingdom, we must be born again.

The difficulty is that the growth of one's soul is limited to that which was attained before the fall. Incapable of escaping out of the box of sin. Therefore, in order for man to see the kingdom of God which JESUS spoke of, man first needs to be redeemed from the curse of sin. Inasmuch as all men were under the same curse, redemption necessitated that another who knew no sin should be the means whereby man's redemption could be secured.

This meant that God was the rightful owner of man, for man is the work of God’s hands. God declared man as being created sons of God. As a result of sin, man became fallen sons of God. It is also why God manifested Himself in flesh as a Son securing man's redemption as a gift of love, providing to all men without preferential treatment an equal opportunity to see and enter into the Kingdom.

Further, this is why you must be born again of water and of Spirit. But admittedly, man by himself has no understanding as to how to achieve this new birth. However, after JESUS' death, burial and resurrection, JESUS opened the understanding of His disciples saying that the redemption of mankind had been purchased by the shedding of His Holy Spirit blood availing to man the Kingdom of God.

This is why we are instructed to go and preach among all nations repentance and remission of sin. If men and women repent and are baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, then as the scriptures state, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon them" and they will become My offspring -- My people -- My nation -- the Israel of God.

If God has touched you, then arise and be baptized into JESUS' death, burial and resurrection and become His redeemed son or daughter being born again. (Acts 2:36-47; Romans 6:3-4)

JESUS on our behalf gave His blood, water and Spirit Life as a Son, bequeathing all to us! Let him/her who has ears to hear, hear.

Stand in the offering plate.