Born of Water and Spirit

When Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone. Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 2:23—3:15 

Today we find Nicodemus, a faithful religious leader, aching to understand what Jesus was calling him to do. That Pharisee wasn't being belligerent, he was truly seeking to understand a new way of understanding and knowing God. This conversation was shocking and transforming to Nicodemus and to us. We know we have been born again, in baptism, but we humans truly don't know the hows and whys of that transformation. And yet we know that our Creator provides the water and spirit in abundance.  We are remade and renewed, day by day, by the love of God within us.

Wondrous Creator you shower us all

with water and spirit to daily renew

we are reluctant to be like small children

being washed and renewed daily.

We think we can renew ourselves alone

we don't need your daily blessings

we call ourselves enough for the day

and miss the tenderness of our God.

Help us to renew our faith by yielding

by giving in to the love promised to all

by listening to the deep call of Jesus

to be reborn today by water and the spirit. Amen.