ON “NEW LIFE”

ON “NEW LIFE”

Yes, Jesus Christ declared that new life must come with new birth! Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3): Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus exhausted the Jewish assumption that their racial identity – their old birth – guaranteed them a place in God’s Kingdom. Jesus made it plain that a human’s first birth does not confirm him or her of the kingdom; only being born again gives this certainty. Such a position was parallel to the broader teaching among the Jews that since they descended from Abraham, they were automatically assured of heaven. Some Rabbis taught that Abraham stood to watch at the gate of hell, to make sure that none of his or her descendants accidentally wandered into hell. Also, most Jews of that time looked for the Messiah to bring in a new world, in which Israel and the Jewish people would be pre-eminent. But Jesus came to bring new life, in which He would be preeminent. Nicodemus addressed Jesus as a rabbi and teacher; Jesus responded to him as the one who announced new life. Our Lord Jesus replies, it is not learning, but the life that is wanted for in the Messiah’s Kingdom, and life must begin by birth. Meaning, the new life in Christ Jesus must begin by individual birth prescribed in John 3. That’s it!!!

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