Scripture: John 3:4 (ESV) – “Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”
John Calvin, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John, reflects on Nicodemus’s question as evidence of the natural human inclination to misunderstand spiritual truths. Confronted with Jesus’ teaching about being “born again,” Nicodemus takes Jesus’ words literally, revealing his inability to grasp their deeper, spiritual meaning. Calvin sees this as a common struggle for humanity: interpreting divine matters through the lens of human reason rather than faith.
Calvin emphasizes that Nicodemus, though a learned Pharisee, was bound by earthly thinking and limited by his reliance on natural understanding. His confusion illustrates the blindness of even the most educated and devout individuals to spiritual truths apart from the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit. Calvin points out that Nicodemus’s question is not one of mockery but genuine perplexity—an honest struggle to comprehend the mystery of the new birth.
This verse reminds us that spiritual truths often appear foolish or incomprehensible to the natural mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). Calvin highlights the importance of humility in approaching God’s Word, recognizing that human wisdom is insufficient to grasp divine realities. Only through the Spirit can we move from confusion to understanding, from earthly thinking to heavenly insight.
For us, Nicodemus’s question invites reflection on our own approach to God’s truth. Are we relying on human reasoning or seeking understanding through the Spirit? It also challenges us to recognize that spiritual growth requires surrendering our limitations and trusting in God to reveal His truth.
Reflection Questions:
- How do Nicodemus’s struggles with understanding Jesus’ teaching resonate with your own experiences of grappling with spiritual truths?
- Are there areas where you rely too heavily on human reasoning instead of seeking understanding through the Spirit?
- How can you approach God’s Word with greater humility and openness to the Spirit’s guidance?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank You for Your patience with us when we struggle to understand Your truths. Teach us to approach Your Word with humility and dependence on Your Spirit. Like Nicodemus, we often wrestle with spiritual realities, but we trust in You to open our minds and hearts. Help us to set aside human reasoning when it hinders our faith, and lead us into the fullness of Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This devotional is based on John Calvin’s commentary on John 3:4, exploring his insights on human limitations and the necessity of spiritual understanding.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 