Week 5 Day 4

DAILY READING
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing

worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all

things […] I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his

resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his

death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:8;10

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and

dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many

seeds. Anyone who loves their life (psuché) will lose it, while anyone

who hates their life (psuché) in this world will keep it for eternal life

(zóé). Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant

also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.“Now my soul

is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No,

it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your

name!” John 12:23-28*

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God

unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked.

“Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be

born!”Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the

kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh

gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be

surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows

wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it

comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the

Spirit.” John 3:3-8

Note: There is a distinction between the words John uses here for “life.” In Greek, there are two words for life. “Psuché” means natural life. “Zóé” means eternal life. I have placed the Greek word in parentheses to help clarify.

QUESTION
Nicodemus was confused when Jesus told him that he had to be “born

of water and the Spirit” in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

What is your understanding of this fundamental truth of the Christian

faith?