May 31, 2026

Today's Reading: John 3:1-15 (16-17)

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 35:9-30; Acts 1:1-7:60; Luke 24:28-53

“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.” (John 3:5-6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When Jesus speaks of a second birth, Nicodemus is quite confused. And if we are honest, we can understand why. His response makes sense; after all, it’s not as though someone can enter a second time into his mother’s womb. But what does Jesus really mean? He explains it. He means that this second birth is different. Yes, the first birth was from the womb of the mother, but that was the birth of flesh from flesh. But is the problem that this was the birth of the human body from a human body? Not in itself. The birth of flesh from flesh, yes, occurs in the human body, but the problem isn’t that body. What is it? It’s the sinful flesh. It’s the draw to sin. It’s the guilt of our first parents. It’s our agreement with that sin every time we ourselves sin. Every thought we have contrary to love. Every doubt. Every hateful inclination. Every action opposed to love of God and neighbor. All of it is this sinful flesh. And what does this sinful flesh beget? What does it give birth to? More sin. But ultimately death. As James says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

This is where we see the need for this new life. It is the need of the new life begotten not of sinful flesh, but of the Spirit. You might know that in Greek, the language the Gospel of John was first written in, that the word for Spirit is the same as the word for wind and also for breath. So the Spirit breathes the wind of life into the sinful flesh. He brings that flesh out of death. How? Because He brings the death of Jesus, hanged on the cross for sin, to that sinful flesh, and raises it to new life in Jesus’ resurrection.

And He has done this for you in the waters of Baptism. As the waters were poured over you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit gave you new birth in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Father, who lifted up His Son on the cross, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life, through the Spirit breathed new birth into you that you would have life as a child of God. That blessed truth guard and keep you in the newness of life in Him to the eternal Kingdom of Jesus. Amen.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for the new birth which you have given to me in the waters of baptism. Guard and keep me in that life until I walk with you raised in the Spirit on the Last Day, as You live and reign, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Matthew Zickler, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Western Springs, IL.