Being Born Again and Again
April 4, 2010
John 3:1-21
It is hard to get an image of what it would mean to be “born again?” As a very concrete person who has observed the births of two children and been right nearby for the births of four grandchildren I know that even if you wanted to put the baby back in and come out again, it would not work. I think that Jesus is using this metaphor in part because of that same way of thinking. It is as impossible to be born again naturally, but it can only take place through the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact growth can happen only in life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This text has naturally been the battleground for those who believe that the “being born again by the Spirit” is more important as a choice than to “be born again by water and the Spirit being at baptism early in life.” I think that the mysterious powerful force of being born again by the Holy Spirit goes well with it happening even before we can make a conscious decision or choice. I respect the other point of view, but I believe that without God’s help, we could not be born again at all.
At the end of the Lenten season (usually at the Easter vigil) many people are baptized in the church. This is a reminder to me of the power of the Holy Spirit to use our Holy Week and Easter to raise us up anew. The real point of Jesus’ message to Nicodemus is that renewal needs to happen over and over and over again in life and when it happens it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I am thankful for Lent/Holy Week/Easter Sunday, 2010 and for doing this blog. I trust that whoever has read it has valued from at least one thing I have written and I will look for new opportunities in the future. I hope and pray that you will be renewed daily as you are born again and again through the power of the Holy Spirit.