Mar 25

No doubt neither Nicodemus nor Herod had on his mind and on his list of miracles that of God wanting children and acquiring them. Yet John the Baptist seems to have considered that a miracle. When challenged by the religious leaders who trusted in their earthy descent from Abraham being enough to make them children of God, John rebuked them:

"Do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham" (Matt. 3:9).

It would be no more of a miracle for God to make children out of dead stones than to make them as he does, through human beings who are just as dead spiritually. For it is certainly a miracle of God's grace that human beings dead in sin become living children of God in Christ.

And it is to that miracle to which Jesus directs Nicodemus's attention. Ignoring the path of discussion which Nicodemus suggests with his opening comment about Jesus being a teacher, Jesus begins to truly instruct this man walking about in darkness. And he begins by redirecting his attention from miracles in general to the one miracle needed: to be born again.

"In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" (John 3:3).

Scripture for today: Matthew 3:8-10
Thought for today: Earthly birth, heavenly birth--both are miracles.
Prayer for today: I thank you, Father, for giving me both my earthly birth and my heavenly birth.

MAR 25