Editorial August 29, 1994 Issue

Starting fresh

Barbara M. Vining

Nearly everyone would like a fresh start in life in at least one way or another—sometimes even with life itself. Is it possible? If so, how? A conversation Nicodemus had with Christ Jesus offers useful insights. It is recorded in the third chapter of the book of John in the Bible (see verses 1–13).

Nicodemus, a Pharisee with leadership status in the Jewish community, recognized Jesus' accomplishments—especially his healing works—as beyond mere human ability. He said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Jesus' response, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," amazed Nicodemus. "How," he asked, "can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" How could anyone get such a radically fresh start as that—to be born again?

Because Nicodemus was thinking of man's starting point as material, he thought it would be impossible to be born again. Jesus' reply "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" indicates that we need to be cleansed of material belief and to acknowledge God, Spirit, as the actual origin of man.

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