You Must Be Born From Above – John 3

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Absolutely one of the strangest conversations to occur anywhere in the gospels takes place between Jesus and the inquiring Nicodemus in the third chapter of John. Of course, at least one of its verses (or at least its Stephanus Pagination verse number) has become nationally famous as an attendee at almost all televised American sporting events (3:16).

The language of being “born again” has passed into American Evangelical popular parlance for probably the last 200 years or more and has become synonymous with a certain form of politics, with an aberrant doctrine, and with almost everything other than this most peculiar of conversations. This is to say, it is a verse that has lost all of its context. For Christ did not say this at an evangelism crusade, nor did he shout it out in coliseums across the Roman Empire. He said it in this very odd conversation in John’s gospel.

The context:

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, 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 answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 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? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

A short note on the organization of John’s gospel. Just as it was used for catechesis, so it seems to have been laid out for just such a purpose. There is the Prologue, then we begin a series of stories, all of which have water as a central element. Each of them offers insight in the mystery of Baptism (not coincidentally). Following this are a number of “bread” stories, which, interstingly have a Eucharistic character. After that begins St. John’s passion narrative, leading up to Christ’s arrest, crucifixion and resurrection.

However, the third chapter is quite clear in its reference to Baptism. To Nicodemus, Christ says, “You must be born of water and the Spirit.” The Church has always seen this as a reference to Holy Baptism. Removing the notion of “born again” from the context of Holy Baptism is a fairly late notion in Christianity, popularized by the various “Awakenings” of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Orthodoxy would in no way seek to eliminate the reality of our experience of God – indeed we are to know God experientially. But the particular “conversion” experiences associated with frontier revivals, and today rather standardized by Evangelicals, is not historically the Christian Church’s understanding of the third chapter of John. There is no doubt that we receive something real and true in Holy Baptism. We are buried with Christ and born anew, “from above.” Our life has changed and is now centered in the Crucified and Resurrected Christ. He Himself is now our life.

But divorcing this from Holy Baptism has tended to denigrate the meaning of that holy mystery and to make it little more than act “act of obedience.” Holy Baptism is one of the great “Mysteries” or Sacraments of the Church. In Holy Baptism we are united to Christ in His death and raised (from the waters) in the likeness of His resurrection. We are given the Holy Spirit and are initiated into the life of the Kingdom of God.

As St. Paul would say, “We are dead to sin but alive to Christ.” This is the great truth of Holy Baptism. Our life now has a new source. We no longer live “according to the flesh,” but following Christ we are enabled to live in union with Him, triumphing over sin and death in our own lives.

It is all too true that we have set our sights very low as the centuries have gone on, and sometimes settle for Baptism being little more than the formal admission of ourselves or our children to Holy Communion. The early Church expected a person’s life to change following Baptism. It was serious enough that a major sin following Baptism, such as adultery or theft, could result in being re-enrolled with the Catechumens and foregoing communion for as much as 20 years (if you were not contrite and repentant). That, in my opinion, is a very high expectation.

We should expect a new life in Christ. We should expect such a new life on a day to day basis. If my life is constantly falling into serious sin, I need serious help.

We indeed are born again (or anew – the Greek is purposefully ambivalent) in Holy Baptism. God is our Father. Thus we are bold to say, “Our Father….”

Finally, notice that Christ centers His conversation on light and darkness. Everyone who loves the light will come to Him. Those who hate the light and love darkness will turn away from Him, condemning themselves. This is and should be for us one of the major touchstones of our daily examination of our lives. Do I love the light or do I love darkness? Do I run to Christ or do I run from Him. Do I do that which I feel I need to hide from God?

These are deep indications (wanting darkness) of the need for repentance. God help us to run to Him and cling to His mercies. Save us from the darkness that grows about us!

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.



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14 responses to “You Must Be Born From Above – John 3”

  1. EYTYXOΣ Avatar

    A short note on the organization of John’s gospel. Just as it was used for catechesis, so it seems to have been laid out for just such a purpose. There is the Prologue, then we begin a series of stories, all of which have water as a central element. Each of them offers insight in the mystery of Baptism (not coincidentally). Following this are a number of “bread” stories, which, interstingly have a Eucharistic character. After that begins St. John’s passion narrative, leading up to Christ’s arrest, crucifixion and resurrection.

    I have myself wondered to what extent the Gospels, esp. John’s Gospel, were ecclesiastically/catechetically arranged and focused. While it’s acceptable (and maybe even necessary) to see or admit that each Gospel reflects the author’s theological perspective or intent and is not simply a historical or factual recounting of Jesus’s life, to discover a catechetical or sacramental arrangement would be extremely disconcerting for many fundamentalist and/or non-sacramental Protestants, IMO. Someone once shared with me his friend’s thesis or observation that John’s Gospel is perhaps laid out according to the arrangement of the Tabernacle, i.e.:
    – the altar (John 3:16)
    – the laver (John 4, Jesus the Living Water)
    – the showbread (John 6, Jesus the Bread of Life)
    – the candlesticks (John 8-10, Jesus the Light of the World; John 10 Feast of Dedication, i.e., Chanukah/Festival of Lights)
    – the incense (John 17, Jesus’s High Priestly prayer)
    – the ark flanked by the two cherubim (John 20, the 2 angels at the head and foot of Jesus’s resting place)

  2. Fatherstephen Avatar
    Fatherstephen

    I’m not sure It is appointed to be read in the Church for the post Pascha period. Fundamentalists and non-Church Protestants need to get over the fact that the New Testament is a Churchly document from beginning to end. Any reading of the New Testament that does not bear that in mind is prima facie wrong.

  3. Jack Avatar
    Jack

    Father,

    I have the same wonder. Were the Gospels intentionally liturgical documents? I also wonder whether the OT was, in important respects, wholly liturgical as well? Any recommendations with regard to English translations of scripture?

    Thanks.

  4. Barnabas Powell Avatar

    Wow, I hope I live long enough to at least start to understand the majesty of the Faith.

    This whole notion of St. John’s Gospel being read after Pascha as a continuation of catechism is new but seems to fit so nicely with the liturgical notion of learning the faith.

    This has really opened my eyes to the post-Pascha “work” I am called to do. This celebration isn’y about resting after the “work” of Great Lent and Holy Week. It is about shifting gears into the daily discipline of the faith. Good stuff and exactly what I needed!

    Thank you, Father.

    P.S. Would you recommend a good book concerning the Mystagogical catechesis?

  5. Lady MacBeth Avatar

    Fr. Stephen,
    Father Bless! I know this is off your current topic of the Gospel of St. John, but would you consider blogging sometime on the Orthodox understanding of “Christ’s Descent” on Holy Saturday? There is quite a debate going on among our Roman Catholic brethren regarding the traditional Catholic teaching and that of the famous Catholic theologian, Hans Urs Von Balthasar. I have been following the lively debate in the pages of “First Things” magazine. As a convert from the Protestant faith, my understanding of the Orthodox faith has barely scratched the surface. But, I love the icon of the Resurrection of Christ, and just as a layperson, this icon seems to contradict the theology of Von Balthasar. A correct understanding is important, as it seems intimately tied to our salvation and is mentioned in the Creed. I love your blog and read it every day!

  6. Jack Avatar
    Jack

    What is the story behind that lovely icon? Almost looks like a water-color.

  7. handmaidleah Avatar

    “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
    I have always wondered how evangelicals reconciled this piece of what our Lord said with their reading of this part of St. John’s Gospel.
    It is as if He (our Lord) by telling Nicodemus, to “Marvel not” the he must be born again, that this is not the most significant part of what our Lord is talking about in the conversation.
    The whole of the conversation is important to our understanding to any of what is being said. Context is important.
    What you have pointed out here that; “it was used for catechesis, so it seems to have been laid out for just such a purpose” is very enlightening. Thank you very much Father Stephen.
    Christos Voskrese!
    the handmaid,
    Mary-Leah

  8. fatherstephen Avatar

    Lady MacBeth,

    I will turn some attention to the Descent into Hades shortly. The content of the services, particularly of Holy Saturday would be the primary source for Orthodox thought on the matter. Perhaps as well as St. Mark of Ephesus. I’m not surprised Rome has some trouble with it. The legalization of salvation (in certain aspects by the West) compounds the problem of Christ entering Hades like John Wayne in Western movie. But the Eastern imagery is a lot like that. I can just here the dialog, “No everybody out!” I have some business with that short fellow with the horns over there in the corner!”

  9. fatherstephen Avatar

    Jack,

    Photo is of a fresco of St. John and his amanuensis, Procurus

  10. Roland Avatar

    For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

    I am starting to catch up on this blog today. I’m sure it will take a few more days – Fr. Stephen is quite prolific!

    A friend of mine had a near-death experience as a three-year-old. She had the typical experience of being drawn to the light, which represented judgment – not in the sense of condemnation, but of reviewing one’s life. (She followed the advice she was given – she had not yet experienced much of a life, so there was little to review, and therefore it would be better to resume her life and come back later.) But she said there were some souls who lingered in the shadows, avoiding the light. They remained so committed to the lies on which they had built their earthly lives that they did not want to come to the light, where they would have to face up to the truth. I am told that M. Scott Peck’s book, People of the Lie, takes a similar view of evil persons as those who live in a carefully constructed world of untruth.

    No matter what one thinks of near-death experiences, I think my friend’s experience sheds some light on this verse from John. In this life, we must learn to love the light and the truth.

  11. Mary Avatar

    Father Stephen,

    I like the John Wayne imagery!

    I realize the following observation is not original with me, but I don’t remember who or what I heard it from (perhaps you?), so here goes:

    I was looking at the large icon of the Descent into Hades last Sunday, and looking at it up close. In this particular icon, Christ’s seems to be coming from the upper right to the lower left, and his robes are billowing behind him as if he was walking through (or is part of) a mighty gust of wind. He has reached out and is clasping Adam’s hand, raising him up. The viewer of the icon (this one, anyway) sees that the icon is arrested motion: although the icon is NOT in motion, the viewer knows that Eve will take Christ’s hand in the next second.

    It’s as if Christ came in on a mighty whirlwind heading straight for Adam (the Firstfruits of Creation?) and the very act destroyed Hades.

  12. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    I love the painting at the beginning of this article, but I couldn’t fine any identification for it. What is it called? Who painted it? When was it painted? The contrasts between the sharp edges and the soft circles, and between the light and dark are fascinating. If you could tell me the painter, I would be blessed! Thank you! Beth from Indiana

  13. fatherstephen Avatar

    Beth,

    It is an icon of St. John and his secretary, St. Prochor. To my knowledge it is of unknown origin.

  14. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Thank you!

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