ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tu’apulelulu Sepitema 2, 2021

Kuopau ke tau fanauʻi foʻou mei ‘Olunga

We need to be born again from Above

Sione 3 (John 3)

(v. 1-3) PEA na‘e ai ha tangata ‘i he kau Fālesi, ko Nikotimasi hono hingoa, ko ha taha ia ‘o e hou‘eiki Siu: pea ha‘u po‘uli kiate ia ‘a e matāpule ko ia, ‘o ne pehē ki ai, Lāpai, ‘oku mau ‘ilo kuo ke hoko mai mei he ‘Otua ko hamau faiako: he tala‘ehai ‘e lava ‘e ha toko taha ha ngaahi fu‘u mana pehē, hangē ko ia ‘oku ke fai, ka ‘i he kau mo ia ‘a e ‘Otua. Pea tali ‘e Sīsū, ‘o ne folofola kiate ia, Ko au ē, ko au ē, ‘oku ou tala atu, ‘Ilonga ‘a ia ‘e ‘ikai fanau‘i fo‘ou mei ‘olunga, ‘e ‘ikai te ne lava ke mamata ki he Pule‘anga ‘o e ‘Otua.

(v. 1-3) Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus 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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

David Guzik :: Study Guide for John 3

Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God: Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus shattered the Jewish assumption that their racial identity – their old birth – assured them a place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it plain that a man’s first birth does not assure him of the kingdom; only being born again gives this assurance.

It was taught widely among the Jews at that time that since they descended from Abraham, they were automatically assured of heaven. In fact, some Rabbis taught that Abraham stood watch at the gate of hell, just to make sure that none of his descendants accidentally wandered in there.

Most Jews of that time looked for the Messiah to bring in a new world, in which Israel and the Jewish people would be pre-eminent. But Jesus came to bring new life, in which He would be preeminent.

Nicodemus addressed Jesus as a rabbi and teacher; Jesus responded to him as the one who announced new life. “Our Lord replies, It is not learning, but life that is wanted for in the Messiah’s Kingdom; and life must begin by birth.” (Alford)

Born again: The ancient Greek word translated again (anothen) can be also translated “from above.” This is the sense in which John used this word in John 3:31 and in John 19:11 and 19:23. Either way, the meaning is essentially the same. To be born from above is to be born again.

“The word rendered ‘anew’ might equally be translated by ‘from above’. Both senses are true, and in the Johannine manner it is likely that we should understand both here.” (Morris)

Essentially, this means to have new life. A theological term for this is regeneration. It isn’t simply a moral or religious reform, but the bringing of new life. “To belong to the heavenly kingdom, one must be born into it.” (Tenney)

Jesus clearly said that without this – that unless one is born again – he cannot enter or be part of (see) the kingdom of God. Moral or religious reform isn’t enough. One must be born again.

This isn’t something that we can do to ourselves. If Jesus had said, “Unless you are washed, you cannot see the kingdom of God” then we might think, “I can wash myself.” A man might wash himself; but he could never birth himself.

“All over the New Testament this idea of rebirth, re-creation occurs.” (Barclay

· 1 Peter speaks of being born anew by God’s great mercy (1 Peter 1:3)

· 1 Peter speaks of being born anew from an imperishable seed

(1 Peter 1:22-23)

· James speaks of God bringing us forth by the word of truth (James 1:18)

· Titus speaks to us of the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5)

· Romans speaks of dying with Jesus and rising anew (Romans 6:1-11)

· 1 Corinthians speaks of new believers as new-born babes

(1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

· 2 Corinthians speaks of us being a new creation in Jesus

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

· Galatians says that in Jesus we are a new creation (Galatians 6:15)

· Ephesians says the new man is created after God in righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24)

· Hebrews says that at the beginning of our Christian life we are like children (Hebrews 5:12-14)