Born of the Spirit
Scripture: John 3:1-17 (NRSV)
In our lectionary gospel reading this week Jesus says we must be “born again” or “born from above.” What on earth was Jesus talking about?
It doesn’t matter what year you were born, how many degrees you have, how many figures your salary is, what your title is, or what your bloodline is. Ask God for the gift of a beginner’s mind, a spiritual rebirth. As Shunryu Suzuki said, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” In other words, this Lent, humble yourself. Realize that you don’t have it all figured out.
Being born of the Spirit is a gift. A face-lift of New Year’s resolutions won’t cut it. Reading the latest self-help book won’t do the trick. No, we’ve got to allow God to do a total spiritual make-over of our lives. All you have to do is believe—to trust.
Like the wind, you may not be able to grasp the mysteries of the Spirit or explain it, but you can experience it. Feel the effects of it. And deep down you know that you know God is at work in you. To believe isn’t just to do theological head-nodding. To believe is to give your heart to, to hold dear, to love God, to live in God. To be-live.
To enjoy Christ’s gift of life everlasting, starting now.
March 5, 2023 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
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Sermon Art: Henry Ossawa Tanner, “Study for Christ and Nicodemus on a Rooftop”
ca. 1923, oil on wood panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Other Sermons In This Series
The Gospel According to Cleopas
April 23, 2023
Letting Go for Dear Life
February 25, 2024
Salt and Light
February 05, 2023