Water In John’s Gospel, 3of11

~ John 3 – Nicodemus and “Born Again” ~

Introduction  ~  The Gospel of John contains numerous references to water.  In fact over half (11 of 21) the chapters reference water.  We are looking at these passages in this series.  

Scripture  ~  “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 and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ 

Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ 

Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit”’” (John 3:1-8).

Notes  ~  1. From John’s point of view, and the context of the Gospel of John, born of water is most likely referring to the act of obedience of baptism.

2. Born of the Spirit in this passage relates to the indwelling Spirit of God in one who has been born again. 

3. Today, in this passage we see both physical birth and spiritual birth. 

Comment  ~  A previous “Abundant Life Now” post  compared “3 Kinds of Sinners” found in John chapters 3, 4, and 5. 

The Key Question  ~  Do you possess the abundance of “living water” which is only available through Jesus Christ. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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