耶稣教导的一幅关键图画是，凡相信祂的人都会有新生命。相信耶稣不是我们生活的附加品，也不是我们可以偶尔关注一下的附属品。相信耶稣意味着我们整个人被转化，我们被改变，获得新生，成为新造的人。
尼哥底母带着问题来见耶稣。耶稣用“重生”的描述来帮助尼哥底母明白，我们必须彻底改变才能成为祂的跟随者。耶稣说，只有重生的人才能经历天国和明白祂的教导。祂又进一步解释说，我们需要从“水和圣灵重生”。这可能是指洗礼和圣灵的恩赐，当人相信基督时会领受这些。
今天，我们可能会把“重生”这个概念和一个戏剧化的，信主的故事联系起来。但在基督里的重生并不是一次性的某一个事件；门徒关系包含了不断与基督同死同复活的过程。随着我们信心的增长，耶稣会洁净我们的罪，使我们更有祂的形像。我们必须一次又一次地让祂来重塑我们的优先次序，改变我们的态度，使我们有服事的能力。
最近，主以怎样的方式在重塑你呢？
主啊，求你不断向我显明我需要重生。显明我需要被洁净和被改变的部份，使我重新拥有你所造完美的形像。阿们。
约翰福音 3:1-15
1有一个法利赛人，名叫尼哥迪慕，是犹太人的官。
2这人夜里来见耶稣，说：“拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来做师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。”
3耶稣回答说：“我实实在在地告诉你：人若不重生，就不能见神的国。”
4尼哥迪慕说：“人已经老了，如何能重生呢？岂能再进母腹生出来吗？”
5耶稣说：“我实实在在地告诉你：人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国。
6从肉身生的就是肉身，从灵生的就是灵。
7我说你们必须重生，你不要以为稀奇。
8风随着意思吹，你听见风的响声，却不晓得从哪里来，往哪里去。凡从圣灵生的，也是如此。”
9尼哥迪慕问他说：“怎能有这事呢？”
10耶稣回答说：“你是以色列人的先生，还不明白这事吗？
11我实实在在地告诉你：我们所说的是我们知道的，我们所见证的是我们见过的，你们却不领受我们的见证。
12我对你们说地上的事，你们尚且不信，若说天上的事，如何能信呢？
13除了从天降下仍旧在天的人子，没有人升过天。
14摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，
15叫一切信他的都得永生。
"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'" - John 3:3
One of the key images Jesus teaches is that all who believe in him have new life. Faith in Jesus is not an add-on to our lives or an accessory we can just pay attention to once in a while. Our faith in Jesus is meant to transform our entire being so that we are changed and become newly born, newly created.
Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions. And Jesus used the image of being “born again” to help Nicodemus understand how radically we must change to become his followers. Jesus said that the only ones who can experience the kingdom and understand his teaching are those who are born again. To explain further, he said we need to be “born of water and the Spirit.” This is likely a reference to baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which people receive when they become believers in Christ.
Today we might associate the idea of being “born again” with a dramatic conversion story. But rebirth in Christ is not a one-time event; discipleship involves a continuous dying and rising with Christ. As we grow in faith, Jesus cleanses us from sin and reshapes us in his own image. Again and again, we must allow him to reshape our priorities, change our attitudes, and empower us for service.
In what ways has the Lord reshaped you lately?
Lord, continue to show me how I must be born again. Show me the parts of myself that need to be cleansed and changed, and make me new in your perfect image. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
