Born Again or Just Going Through the Motions?
A Skeptic Intrigued By Jesus’ Miracles
He knew his colleagues viewed Jesus' teachings as downright blasphemous, a dance with heresy. But he couldn’t reckon with the unexplainable miracles that trailed Jesus’ ministry.
In the third chapter of John, Nicodemus makes his appearance. Although the Gospel explicitly describes only one miracle before this—the turning of water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11)—it mentions that "many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing" during the Passover in Jerusalem (John 2:23). As a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus likely had access to eye-witness reports and testimonies about Jesus, including possibly other unrecorded miracles that had convinced people. He decided to investigate further.
Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” John 3:2 (MSG)
Remember that as a Pharisee, Nicodemus held a set of core beliefs that he thought secured his right standing with God. He was deeply committed to the Scriptures, having memorized most of the books of the Old Testament. His belief in God was unshakable, and he also held firm convictions about angels, the immortality of the soul, and a coming day of judgment. Nicodemus believed in all of the right things. Interestingly, he even had some faith in Jesus, at least to the extent that he understood Him. Having witnessed Jesus' miraculous signs, Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus had come from God.
Side Note about Nicodemus in The Chosen
In Season 1, Episode 7, Jesus invites Nicodemus to follow him. In Season 1, Episode 8, Nicodemus turns down the invitation. However, it isn't evident in John when Nicodemus began to follow Jesus or if he did at all. While their initial conversation in John 3:1-21 concludes without revealing Nicodemus's final thoughts, he reappears later in the Gospel under interesting circumstances. During a Sanhedrin meeting, he advocates for giving Jesus a fair trial, drawing accusations of being a sympathizer (John 7:45-52). In his last known appearance, Nicodemus assists Joseph of Arimathea in the expensive burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42), suggesting some level of commitment to Jesus' cause. However, there's no indication that he ever joined Jesus as a traveling disciple.
A Pivotal Point In The Conversation
Despite all of Nicodemus’ belief in God, Jesus recognized what was wrong with Nicodemus. Jesus seemed to bluntly change the subject on Nicodemus when he said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”—John 3:3 (MSG)
Nicodemus was perplexed. "What does this have to do with what I just said? What is Jesus getting at?" He likely expected Jesus to acknowledge his esteemed position within the religious community and treat him accordingly. Yet, Jesus seemed to suggest that even Nicodemus might not enter the kingdom of God. What more could be expected of him? Didn't Jesus see the depth of his beliefs?
Nicodemus was offended. His response to Jesus was somewhat sarcastic: “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?" (John 3:4 MSG). He interpreted Jesus’ words in the most literal sense, taking them to the ridiculous extreme.
One of the most pivotal points in the full conversation lay in Jesus' declaration of a need for a spiritual rebirth. This concept is foundational for us. It signifies the need for a personal transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
When Jesus declared, "You must be born again," he emphasized that Christianity isn't merely a collection of doctrines or an ethical system. Instead, it's a transformative experience. This experience begins with acknowledging our sinfulness and need for God and extends to a profound, cleansing renewal that fills us with His love and Spirit.
The Common Application to John 3:1-12
Nicodemus was initially trapped in religious rituals without a transformative relationship with God. We, too, must be cautious not to exchange church attendance, celebrating Christmas and Easter, occasional prayer, and obligatory generosity for a real relationship with Christ. We need to accept the person of Jesus Christ and be Born Again.
That is the primary application of this passage. I’ve taught and preached that application many times over the years. But on this day, God has drawn our attention to another good application. It's not just Biblical figures like Nicodemus who wrestle with the need to be born anew. Even today, individuals like Tyler are living illustrations of a similar spiritual quandary.
The Modern-Day Apathetic Pharisee
Tyler remained seated in the back of the church after everyone had been dismissed. He knew it would be 20 minutes or so before his wife would finally be ready to leave. So, he sat scrolling through his phone to look busy so the extroverts wouldn’t talk to him. He really had nothing to say. To him, church had become a well-worn highway—each song like a boring stretch of scenery, each sermon like overly familiar fast food—predictably mundane.
Over the years, he had half-heartedly participated in all of it; Sunday services, small group Bible studies, church dinners, and even a mission trip—but he was emotionally alienated from all of it.
Tyler had uttered countless prayers in years past, but each felt like tossing a coin into a divine wishing well, hoping God—or whatever is out there—would hear him. Was God taking note of his language, internet habits, and church attendance but remaining personally distant? He felt like a tourist in a too-familiar spiritual landscape.
Tyler knows all the right words to say around churched people. He also serves once a month on the mowing team. He often uses his business skills to help the church negotiate contracts to save money. He even has a giving statement that reflects 3% of his income. But his soul is parched, and his faith has become a barren landscape.
Just as Jesus pierced through Nicodemus's veneer of religious respectability to address his spiritual void, He is reaching out to Tyler and any of us caught in the monotony of apathetic faith. Have you ever been there—caught in the cycle of disconnected worship, feeling lackluster about the Great Commission and spiritually empty? More importantly, are you there as you read this? And what can you do if you find yourself in this spiritual malaise?
Left foot, acknowledge the void in prayer. This admission is an act of humility, a declaration to God and yourself that you want to experience being born from above, fully engaged in your relationship with Jesus. To put this admission into words, you might pray something like this: “Lord, I recognize today that I have been just going through the motions. Forgive me of my sin of disbelief. I want to be born anew and wholly in relationship with You. I want to be led by Your Holy Spirit and engaged in Your mission for the Church. Renew me, Jesus, so I may glorify You in everything I do. Amen.”
Right foot, make the motivation of your actions the teachings of Jesus, not your feelings. Ten chapters later in John, we find Jesus washing his disciples' feet, which was a lowly cultural act of service. Then he says in John 13, “(15)I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (17)Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” How many disciples do you think naturally desired to take on the lowest act of service in their culture to be more engaged in a relationship with Jesus? Answer—None!
The truth is our feelings are often poor guides for spiritual action. Your feelings have most likely caused you to become an apathetic pharisee, emotionally disconnected and spiritually dormant. Our feelings usually keep us from the transformative power of obedience. Life’s difficulties make us feel like focusing on ourselves. But when we let feelings dictate our journey with Jesus, we risk staying in a cycle of spiritual stagnation and apathy. Isn't it time to break that cycle?
Let's not wait for an emotional prompting to take the steps Jesus calls us to take. Let's move past doing churchy things out of obligation into a life-altering, transformative relationship with God. Serve even when you feel like you are the one who should be served. Pray even when words feel inadequate. Give when it feels better to keep because it’s in living out the Word of God that we truly get engaged in the born-again, Spirit-filled life. Are you willing to take those two steps today?
Reflection Questions
How often do you find your actions being guided by your feelings rather than aligning with the teachings of Jesus?
How would your spiritual life look different if you made decisions based on Scriptural teachings rather than your current emotions or circumstances?
When did you last serve others, even when you didn't feel like it? How did it impact your spiritual well-being?
Do you find yourself praying only when things go wrong? How could a more consistent prayer life deepen your relationship with God?
How do you prioritize tithing in your spiritual journey, by feelings about your finances or with gratitude to God for your income and your local church?
Are you only going through the motions when participating in church ministries? How could you engage more meaningfully?
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