Exposition

Jesus explained the process of acquiring the Kingdom of Heaven during a night meeting with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders whom Jesus and John the Baptist often criticized for being hypocrites. Most Pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus Christ because He undermined their authority and challenged their views. But Nicodemus was searching and he believed that Jesus had some answers. Nicodemus wouldn’t be part of the Kingdom unless he was personally born again.

This is why Jesus came. He came not only as one who announced the coming of the Kingdom, but also as the one through whom we gain entrance into the Kingdom. Receiving the new birth is not a difficult process – acknowledge that you are a sinner in rebellion against God and understand that the penalty for sin is eternal death. If you confess your sins to God and believe that Jesus Christ died for you so that you might be forgiven, He is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and purify you from all unrighteousness. Confessing your sins means to agree with God regarding your sins and repent of them. To repent means to make a clean break with sin, a 180-degree reversal of direction. Confess Christ as your Saviour and Lord and give Him control of your life.

If you have not been born again, that is the step you must take before you can become part of the Kingdom of Heaven and receive eternal life. No matter how intelligent and well-educated you are, you must come to Jesus with an open mind and heart so He can teach you the truth about the Kingdom of Heaven. Like Nicodemus, you must examine Jesus for yourself – others cannot do it for you.