“How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus (John 3:9, CSB).

During the twilight discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, an iconic declaration is spoken by Jesus that is often included in tracts, sermons and Sunday School lessons: John 3:3: “Unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

But little is discussed of Nicodemus’ side of the conversation and what he said to prompt Jesus to make this momentous pronouncement.

John indicates that Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival at the beginning of his ministry. During the Passover Festival Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple and performed many miracles. As a result of the miracles many people in Jerusalem believed that Jesus was the Messiah (see John 2:13-25).

Probably during this Passover Festival in Jerusalem Nicodemus held his meeting with Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews and came to Jesus at night. Maybe Nicodemus was trying to avoid public scrutiny because of his religious and political position or he wanted to have a one-on-one conversation with Jesus when there weren’t crowds surrounding Jesus.

Having witnessed Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem, Nicodemus apparently felt a disconnect between his religious understanding and what he observed in the ministry of Jesus at Jerusalem. Nicodemus’ dilemma is apparent in the questions he asked Jesus during their discussion.

To begin the conversation, it appears that Nicodemus wanted verification of Jesus’ calling. So, Nicodemus injected an offhanded question about His authenticity into a polite acknowledgement of His ministry. First, Nicodemus said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” (vs. 2).

Nicodemus’ probably expected Jesus to affirm that He was, indeed, sent from God. But Jesus skipped over the small talk and took aim at the question that was really bothering Nicodemus–how to enter the kingdom of God. Today we might ask, “How do I get saved?”

Jesus turned the conversation into a theological challenge to Nicodemus’ rather than a debate over His divinity. Jesus did this by making the outrageous pronouncement, “Unless someone is born again (or born from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

When confronted with this incredible and even bizarre declaration of Jesus, a bewildered Nicodemus responded to Jesus with as ridiculous an assertion as he thought Jesus was making to him: “How can anyone be born when he is old?” …. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” (vs. 4).

Nicodemus’ reaction was certainly one I can relate to as a fellow inhabitant of this world when confronted with the other-wordly declarations and supernatural actions of Jesus!

Fortunately, Jesus explained to Nicodemus exactly what He meant by being born again. “Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” ( vs. 5).

Unfortunately, His explanation ran contrary to Nicodemus’ existing religious perceptions. Nicodemus then articulated his dilemma and the dilemma of many of us who think we’ve got God all figured out and neatly stored away in our religious beliefs box.

“How can these things be?” (vs. 9).

We have all experienced the Nicodemus dilemma because it’s the human dilemma. When confronted with the reality of God’s Kingdom, it challenges the reality I experience in this world.

Jesus’ teachings (and His life, death and resurrection) subvert our closely-held and common beliefs about what it takes to obtain eternal life. Like Nicodemus, I might think that if I’m a good person, if I follow the rules, or if I do more good than bad in my life then God will accept me in because I’m one of the good (religious) guys.

But, that’s not what Jesus said–at all! Jesus said that entering the Kingdom of God is supernaturally-enabled!

Jesus stipulated that human beings must have a spiritual re-birth to make it into heaven. If you are a human being, you have been born once (of water). But, to enter the Kingdom of God you must be born a second time by/of the Spirit of God.

Being born again means entering into an eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

It’s just that simple….and profound!

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, CSB)