"Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Jesus begins his interaction with Nicodemus in the most remarkable way in this verse. He says something that almost no one believed in His day or ours.
Notice first what He does not say- He does not say that one will not enter the kingdom of God without being born again- as true as that may be. No, Jesus says that one will not even see it. Embedded in this little statemet is a radical understanding of the human heart, salvation and the Kingdom of God.
Jesus here assumes that the human heart is blind. We do not simply reject the rule of God, we are also blind to it in all of its redemptive purposes. Paul will elsewhere argue that our rebellion has led to 'darkened minds' and hearts. We cannot even see the kingdom of God for what it is.
Unless.
Unless something called the new birth happens. Then we can we it. Then we can enter it. Then we can see the Reign of God for what it is. Then it will seem beautiful to us. But first we must see it, and before that we mist be born again.
This means that our salvation is not the result of our belief in and love for the kingdom of God, but rather our seeing and entering the kingdom of God is the result of our being born again.
So, rejoice this morning if you see in Jesus' coming something that is precious and beautiful to you. For this vision is a result of God's gracious working to cause you to be born again.
