Daily Devotions
Today’s Reading: John 3:1-15 & Psalm 65
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:5
Enter Nicodemus, a most unexpected visitor to Christ. He arrives under cover of night. No proud, self-respecting Pharisee would want to be seen having a conversation with this man from Galilee! But Nicodemus knows something about Jesus—He calls Him “a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2).
Though Nicodemus has asked no question yet, he does get an answer—a very unexpected answer—from Jesus: “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Nicodemus stumbles and staggers around Jesus’ answer, betraying the fact that he flounders with earthly things, while Jesus obviously speaks of heavenly things.
With His answer, Jesus gives a brilliant, beautiful insight into God’s ways by pointing out that being born again is not something you do … or I do. It’s something God does to us and for us. It’s called Holy Baptism. It’s called born of water and the Spirit. It’s called a means of grace, for Baptism is a vehicle by which God comes to us and declares He loves us, not because of who we are, or because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us. In a word—grace!
Asking about God? Jesus Christ has made it abundantly clear—God was asking about you long before you ever thought to ask about Him. Why? Because of grace!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep us true to our baptismal vows so that we may proclaim by word and action Your saving grace to all people through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Response
Do you have your baptismal certificate in a place where you can see it every day upon waking? What a good way to remind yourself who you are and whose you are each day!