To come into a relationship with God requires a fundamental change. In this passage we see Nicodemus, a prominent leader of the Jewish people, coming to Jesus at night. He knew that Jesus was a great teacher but the words that Jesus spoke to him would have been quite unexpected. Jesus told him that he must be ‘born again’.

Nicodemus was puzzled so Jesus further explained. Firstly, he reminded him about the bronze snake Moses lifted up in the wilderness. Then he showed what this meant by saying that the ‘Son of Man’ (himself) must also be lifted up …. ‘for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’.

These things are of the utmost importance to people today as well. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about how someone comes into a relationship with God. It means turning back to him and trusting in what Jesus has done on the cross to take away our sins. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to do this.