Born from Above – New Creation – Really?
The New Testament language about the impact of the Good News is strikingly radical. New birth. New Creation. No Jew/Greek; slave/free; male/female. Crucified with Christ. What does it mean? Paul tells the struggling Corinthians about New Creation as a fact. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus about being “born again” evolved into an Evangelical cliché that talks more of a method of conversion or testimony or even politics. What is Jesus’ challenge really about?
Nicodemus is a leading teacher, positive toward Jesus. Jesus confronts him with the “kingdom of God” that’s breaking in. The teacher must start over: birth from above. So must all. Nicodemus struggles to understand. Water and Spirit: Spirit-Wind/Breath, blowing but unseen. The Good News of God’s reign is a new, challenging reality. You have to learn from the only one who truly embodies it: Son of Man/Son of God. Lifted up in death. Giving life that extends beyond death. This is God’s reality bursting into new clarity – embodied. God’s love for the cosmos, his kingdom is here. Can I see it? It’s light. Do I really want it?