Surprise
Some people throw surprise parties to celebrate notable anniversaries of friends. It’s always interesting to watch the face of the person who is being surprised. They often seem pleased but sometimes the surprise can be overwhelming. A Jewish ruler once surprised Jesus by coming to Him at night. He said that he knew Jesus came from God because of the miracles He was doing. However, the Jewish ruler was surprised and baffled by Jesus’ reply.
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the signs you are doing.” Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.” (John 3:1-3 NIRV)
Nicodemus was confused by what Jesus said. He started to reason about earthly birth and how someone couldn’t go back inside their mother’s womb and be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus that he should not be surprised that people give birth to people, but that the Spirit of God gives birth to the human spirit within us. Jesus came into the world to save the world from sin, so that the dead spirit within us could be made alive by God’s Holy Spirit.
Are we surprised that Jesus came into the world so we could have freedom from sin and our dead spirits made alive? When we give our will and life over to the care of God, our dead spirit within us is reborn and we are enabled by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, who comes to reside in us and around us, to do those things that please God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your great love that caused Jesus to come into the world to die for my sins so that I might be born again by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen
©2023 Partners in Hope
Audio for Surprise
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.