Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ (John 3:3-7 NRSV)

Christ Jesus, Son of God has risen.  We will celebrate Easter this year on April 1, 2018.  It also happens to be April Fool’s Day too.  I would not be surprised at all that Nicodemus might have thought that Jesus was pulling his leg, but he was not.  To be born again, just that saying carries some baggage, by those evangelists who go around asking if you have been born again by accepting Jesus into your heart.  The reality is that being born again is good and has been done for us in Jesus.

When we baptize, we invite the Holy Spirit into the lives of those being baptized.  Promises are made by the one being baptized or their parents/grandparents or sponsors, in how they will be in relationship with God and with others.  All those present, make a promise to the person being baptized, in helping the newly baptized in upholding their and/or their parents/grandparents or sponsors promises.  These promises are given as a response to God.  God has given us promises and we respond.

Now that we are no longer dead to sin and have been born again through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, how will you respond to God and each other in this new life?  Do we keep doing as we have been or do we look for ways to respond missionally in the resurrection?  This is no April Fool joke.  How, in this new life we receive, do we respond to God and each other for the sake of the kingdom of God?

At the foot of the cross, know that your sins are forgiven.  What the past is, is the past.  However, what the future is, is in how we respond to God.  It is how we take into our being, the new life by being born again in the resurrection of Jesus and our baptisms.  Don’t look back but have faith.  Trust in the promises of God in Jesus and RESPOND!

Halleluiah, halleluiah, Christ has risen.  Death and sin are defeated, and we are born again!

Responding to the call of God in Christ Jesus

Pastor Doug