“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”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?”Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?Nicodemus saith unto 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?
4 sermons cite this verse
… And the Pharisee was taken back, and he asked a question. He said, how can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Now I want you to notice something, please. Nicodemus spoke only four times in this conversation, and four times he used the word can, C-A-N. First he said, no one can in verse 2. How can in verse 4? Can he in verse 4? How can these things be? So Nicodemus was really focused on what we can and cannot do. His focus was on human ability or inability. He was the one who chose to row the boat. He was all about human effort, human gumption, human capacity. In his view, the gate to heaven is greased with elbow grease, that God helps those who help themselves. Jesus, to the contrary, made four references, not to what we can do, but to what we cannot do. He focused on not our ability, but our inability. …
… notice Jesus's response in verse 3 he says most assuredly I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Nicodemus says 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 this conversation is kind of funny if you follow it the way I follow it Nicodemus is like we know you're from God Jesus like you got to be born again Nicodemus is like what am I going to go back into my mother's womb and be born again like what like that's a that's a pretty silly assumption you won't fit like think about it it's like of all the things to say that's your response am I just you want me to go back into my mother's womb and be born again it didn't say wait a minute what did you mean by that why would you say such a thing what does that mean he just immediately says am I going to go climb back into my mother's womb and then be reborn again like well how does that get me to heaven? But think what Jesus is saying to him, you must be born again. Now he clarifies in verse five, 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, 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 …
In other words, I'm in two dimensions. Father, we thank you so much for your word. It is a lamp unto our feet. It is a light unto our path. Hallelujah. In the beginning was the word, and the word was you, and the word was with you, and all things that will be made will be made, therefore, by your word. And even as your word became flesh and dwelt among us, I thank you, God, that this word will become flesh and move throughout the hearts and the minds of your sons and daughters present and watching. And God, in alignment and agreement with that, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. I thank you that you've given me the spirit of wisdom and revelation and insight and knowledge and prophecy and full access to heaven's resources, is full access to the throne room, God, that I might not simply be standing in front of your people, but that I might be like Elijah who said, Jehovah before whom I stand. So may I stand in two dimensions and release your word that will edify, build up, enlighten, activate, heal, and do all the wonderful things that takes place when your word is released. We claim victory today. …
… Now Nicodemus says to him, what? How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Now again, Nicodemus is a doctor of the church. He's not stupid. He's not unskilled and not uneducated, and yet he asks a question that is as crass as a man can be. How much more insulting can he be to Jesus when He says, what are you talking about? Are you suggesting that a man has to enter a second time in his mother's womb to be born? What a ridiculous idea that is. And this response of Nicodemus just reeks of cynicism. Jesus says again, amen, amen. Truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he can't enter the kingdom of God. Now He changes a little bit differently. Not only does He say you have to be reborn, born from above, now He talks about entering the kingdom rather than seeing the kingdom. …