"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'.

Oh Nicodemus, how I can relate.

I marvel at this because it is such a miracle. The rebirth of someone from the inside out is more impressive than anything I can ponder, outside of resurection. Healings and casting out demons only go so far and I'm sure they are cool but to actually change someone in the inner most parts and have them become a new person is untouchable.

Someone close to me once said that they can't buy in to the 'born again' idea. They, like Nicodemus, get caught up in rational thinking. I can't blame them, it sounds crazy. Also, the label of being 'a born again Christian' as opposed to just 'Christian' is a bit wierd even for me.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Here is the division from the old to the new self. For some, it is quite the contrast and for others, outwardly, not as much. Internally, for both though, it is the difference between night and day. The drastic inner invasion of the Holy Spirit is irrevocable and the regeneration of one's soul is uncontainable. This is the true miracle and can only be done by God Himself. Once God is in you the journey begins.

"Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?"

I have 2000 years of more information than Nicodemus and I still don't REALLY get it.
I don't get why if being 'born again' such the work of God why I still try to earn His approval.
I don't get why after writing the lines above I still fight the Spirit working in my life.
I don't get why I want to change, yet change is so scary and uncharted.
I'm sure I can go on. I won't for my own sake.

It's the journey of faith. Questions are welcome and santification takes a whole life. It's God's grace that leads us to repentance. It's His righteousness on me and not my own. That's all part of the great miracle.

I marvel today. I marvel at what He has done for us. I don't need to understand it all. Maybe today He just wants me to.....simply marvel.