Your Basic Need
Who was Nicodemus? (John 3:1-13)
The sun had long been down and it was time for the elderly man to approach Jesus. It was late into the night, for the secretive visitor was hesitant to be seen with Jesus in broad daylight. Was this seeker a sinister man? No. He was Nicodemus, a respected ruler of the Jews.
What kind of man was he? First, he was a teacher with the highest attainment in education. Second, he was a "ruler of the Jews" enjoying a good amount of honor and respect. Also, as an old man, he had accumulated a great deal of experience and wisdom. His manner of speech revealed a high standard of morality. By seeking instruction from Jesus, he showed some courage, putting his honor and admiration by others at risk. He was a sincere seeker of God, and was genuine and honest in his conversation with Jesus.
Did all of these outstanding virtues cause him to be proud? No. He called Jesus, who was half his age, a teacher and rabbi. Very few men have ever attained such a high degree of integrity and public stature, and yet remained genuinely humble.
Nicodemus was an unusual man. Sitting before Jesus was a man of rare character, desiring to be taught.
How did Jesus respond? The Lord took the opportunity to reveal the true need of mankind. In his talk with Nicodemus, the Lord Jesus revealed that regardless how good we are, we still need another life-the life of God. We all need to be born again, to be regenerated.
A False Concept
Like so many since, Nicodemus thought that man needed to behave, and for this, he needs more teaching. He considered Christ to be "a teacher come from God." This shows his motive in coming to Jesus. He wanted more knowledge to improve himself. This same concept pervades modern society; self improvement books and media have inundated the book stores, internet, and airwaves. Many seminars and courses are offered at colleges advertising promises of self-betterment.
But the Lord's answer turned Nicodemus from this false concept. He, like all of humanity, needed another life, not more teaching. "You must be born anew" was the Lord's pointed response (John 3:7).
Man's real need is to be regenerated with God's life. Your most basic need is not for more teaching and advice to regulate and correct your behavior, but to receive another life, the life of God! Regardless of how good you may be, even as good and accomplished as Nicodemus; you still needed be born again, to receive the life of God into you.
The Spirit Begetting spirit
How could a man like Nicodemus, and a person like you, receive God's life? It is by receiving God's Spirit. Jesus told him, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). Just as you have acquired your physical life from your parents at birth, so to obtain God's life requires another birth. This time, you must be born of God's Spirit. Whenever any person, regardless of moral condition, would open his or her heart to the Lord Jesus, appreciate His death on the cross, and ask the Lord to come in, that person's spirit will be regenerated.
If you would pray in this way, you will be born again:
"Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for me. Thank You for forgiving me right now of all my sins. Even more, thank You that You want to live in me. I open my heart, my being to receive You right now. I want to be born again! Fill me with the life of God! Thank You, Lord Jesus!"