Second Sunday in Lent
John 3:1-17
CCT: Only by God’s grace given to us in baptism, a birth of water and Spirit, can we see, understand, and live in God’s Kingdom.
Flesh gives birth to flesh.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I don’t know about you, but I know that I was born. No, I don’t have any recollection or memories of that day. Sure I’ve seen photos, and I even have a birth certificate signed by the doctor and my mother giving proof of my birth. This is how I know that I was born; and I believe it. If you don’t know if you were born, I’m here to tell you today: YOU WERE BORN! You should believe it too. Anyone who is sitting here was born. Many here have given or witnessed the birth of a child too. So you know how it happens. It’s a natural. It’s life. Flesh gives birth to flesh.
However, there is one thing that can be said about our birth. None of you, no, not one, decided to be born. It was not your choice. You cannot choose your life. It’s given to you, entirely, and freely from God. It wasn’t even your parents choice. Sure they may have wanted a child, but they didn’t choose you. They maybe even didn’t want you. The number of abortions that take place today shows how many lives are not even wanted. Regardless, your parents didn’t choose you, your brother didn’t choose you, and most certainly, you didn’t choose you! No one here chose to be born, yet you are here. It’s what it is. Flesh gives birth to flesh.
Since you are here, you know everything that you have learned throughout your life be it by experience, or by classroom lecture. You know that fire is hot. You know that 1+ 1 = 2. You know that you were created; you even have knowledge of a god. Look at creation, and you see the hand of God. There is an obvious architect behind all the order and structure of the world. You know that a god exists.
Nicodemus knew that there was a god too. He was a leader in the religious order of the day. He had gone to a good school of theology, likely was a “doctor” of the Scriptures, the Torah. He knew that God existed and most definitely saw signs of God in the man Jesus. Likely he had heard all about Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. So he approaches Jesus one night to inquire about what was taking place.
It should be noted that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. I would say it was simply for this reason: his reputation. He didn’t want to have his colleagues see him asking questions about things that he should already know. He was probably looking for an inside lead on the newest story or some gossip for the council. He was going looking for one thing, and got something completely different. One thing that we can say about Nicodemus that we know for sure. Though he was a great leader of the Jewish religion, when it came to matters of God: HE DIDN’T GET IT! That which is born of flesh is flesh.
Things are no different today. Most of the educated people in the world don’t get it either. Even within the visible church today, there are many famous writers and preachers who don’t get it! Churches that teach that you must undergo another baptism “of the Spirit” don’t get it. Churches that teach that you must do something to earn righteousness with God don’t get it. Religions around the world that preach good works don’t get it. Anyone who preaches another gospel is under the judgment of God as Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” That which is born of flesh is flesh. No matter how smart, intelligent, how many degrees you have, if you don’t have the pure gospel, as delivered to you by Christ Himself, then you don’t get it!
By nature we don’t get it. We know that we were born, we know that we will die. We know many things in this world. But one thing that you don’t know, that I don’t know, naturally is the gospel. All which we know is of the flesh. We cannot know the things of God on our own. Neither did Nicodemus. Jesus calls him out on it too: “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things!” The reason that Nicodemus doesn’t get it, the reason that I don’t get, the reason that you don’t get it is not that you haven’t tried hard enough or that you haven’t studied enough. You don’t get it because you are a sinner.
Because you are a sinner you are infected with a disease that prevents you from knowing the things of God. This is what blinds you, which prevents you from seeing the kingdom of God. Luther says concerning the issue: “For where there is flesh and blood, there is still the old Adam, who does not know where he shall go, whether below or above, to the left or to the right; on what he should rest his soul and depart. Then there is anxiety and misery in the nature of a real hell; for the torment of hell is nothing but fear, terror, dread and despair.”
Spirit gives birth to Spirit
Like Israel in the desert, we to need a medicine will heal us, for they were bitten by snakes. Though they deserved their punishment for their rebellion against God, the Lord graciously gave them a way to be healed. He provided a healing device, a bronze serpent on the pole. Anyone who looked at that serpent would be healed, he would live. That which is born of Spirit is Spirit.
To us, to the whole world, God provides healing for our disease of sin. He tells Nicodemus and you and me: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” This is the only way to get it. In desperation, when we see that there is no way to be healed, to see God, we look to the cross. That which is born of Spirit is Spirit
While we don’t naturally get, how we can be born again, God gives to us a new life, a new birth. In baptism you are born again. In baptism, you are born of God. The word in Greek can notate being born either again or from above. Both are right. For the birth of water and the Spirit brings about a transformation. We who naturally don’t get it are born in to a new family, a family of believers in the man named Jesus. Through baptism we are connected to the cross of Jesus, and reap all the benefits therein. Forgiveness. Pardon. Peace with God. Do you get it?
Part of this new birth is that we can see ourselves as we really are. We see the depth of our sin. We see our complete depravity. We see that have really rebelled against our God. We become troubled at this. We are sorry for our sin. This is part of the new life in this world.
But the other part of this new life is the forgiveness we have for Jesus’ sake. When you are burdened by your sin look to the cross. Feast on the life giving body and blood of Jesus. This is your medicine. This is the medicine of immortality. St. Ambrose said of this Sacrament: “Because I always sin, I always need the medicine.” This is why you need it frequently. I’m thankful that this cathedral gives the sacrament weekly. You need it; I need it. It’s part of life in the spirit. For that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.
So do you get it? You don’t need an advanced degree. You don’t need to be make any decisions. You only need new birth, and you have it. Return to it daily by repentance and receive the medicine of this altar. Their you get it. You receive the pure gospel for your salvation. You have been born of the Spirit and it’s your life in the Spirit.
So do you get it? I know that I was born. Not because I had anything to do with it. Likewise, I know that I was reborn. “He saved me through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on me generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, I might become an heir having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” I didn’t have anything to do with this. It was entirely the work of God. It was Him who gave me His Spirit when I was one month old. I have received this new life freely, and so have you who are baptized into Christ! Do you get it?
That which is born of flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.
In +Jesus’+ Holy and Precious name. AMEN.
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