Born From Above: A Reflection on John 3:1–15
Gospel Reading for Reference
The Exploration Pt. 1
The Exploration Pt. 2
A Closing Prayer
John 3:1-15
At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nikodemos, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nikodemos said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The Spirit blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, and you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nikodemos said to him, "How can this be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
We encounter in Nicodemus a man who sees but does not see.
He approaches Jesus not in defiance, but in uncertainty. He acknowledges Christ’s miracles and signs—“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God”—yet he cannot perceive the full truth. He is a man of knowledge, a “teacher of Israel,” but he reasons within himself, leaning on his intellect instead of surrendering to divine understanding.
Christ, in response, does not rebuke him harshly. Rather, He reveals a mystery:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Here, Jesus reassures not only Nicodemus, but all of us: to see the Kingdom is not beyond reach. But it does require a new birth—a birth from above, not from flesh, nor from reason alone.
Nicodemus, still bound by worldly categories, questions: “Can a man enter a second time into his mother’s womb?” Again, he reasons without surrender. He wrestles with divine truth while clinging to natural understanding.
Jesus continues with great compassion:
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
This is more than metaphor. It is both an image of natural birth and a sacramental promise—a call to baptism, in which water and Spirit come together to form new life.
Note, the intentional differences in His wise response. One is to see, and the other to enter. One may see the kingdom having come to the faith, receiving enlightenment from above. However, to enter the kingdom requires baptism. That is not to say we are not saved outside of the One, True Church. But that we know within the Church and Her sacraments, we can be.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Here lies the dividing line: the flesh cannot comprehend the Spirit. The mind, unaided by grace, cannot grasp heavenly realities. Christ tells him: Do not marvel. The Spirit blows where it wills. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.
Faith is not a product of intellectual clarity. It is a gift.
And still, Nicodemus cannot understand. He asks, “How can these things be?”
In this moment, Christ reveals something profound—not about Nicodemus alone, but about the whole human condition:
“You are a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?”
Even the wise and religious can remain blind. Even the teacher needs to be taught. For spiritual sight is not the reward of study, but the fruit of humility.
“If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
This is not condemnation. It is a tender illumination. Nicodemus had seen signs but could not yet see the Sign itself—Jesus, the very ladder between heaven and earth.
Then Christ reveals the path:
“No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man… and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
We must look to Christ.
Not merely as teacher, but as Savior.
Not merely for answers, but for sight.
Not merely for wisdom, but for new birth.
This passage reminds us that spiritual understanding is never earned—it is received. It is given from above, to those who are born of the Spirit. To those who cease striving to understand on their own, and instead cry out, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” — a cry that carries unimaginable power.
Nicodemus fades from this scene with questions unanswered. But later, in the Gospel of John, we see him again—bringing myrrh and aloes for the burial of Christ. Perhaps by then, he had begun to see—not with the mind, but with the heart. Perhaps by then, he had been born from above.
May we, too, look not within for our salvation, but upward—to the One who was lifted up, that we might be born into life.
Glory to You, O Lord, Glory to You! For once again I’ve received the gift of understanding and creation from You. What a joy it is to be a guest in Your House. Please, bless this work, and make perfect what is imperfect, for the sake of the souls that read this. Thank you, Lord. You have truly blessed me, dust though I be.
Dear reader, please call on the Lord to filter out the filth I’ve emptied into the pure water of the Lord that flows from me into these works—that you may see clearly His message.