A promise and a covenant are the same but different.

A promise is a declaration that something will or will not be done. A covenant is a contract, a formal agreement between two or more parties. In the Old Testament, God made promises in the form of covenants with ancient Israel.

Because it was His idea, because He is God, and because He knows what's good for His people, the covenant was on His terms and He established the conditions. God promised to protect the Israelites if they kept His law and remained faithful to Him.

But they didn't

It was impossible. Not because God's plan was flawed but because His chosen people were. The covenant served to illustrate their desperate need for a perfect God. It was not designed to save them but to point to the one who could.

Enter the new covenant. Enter Jesus is the new covenant. If you are born again, you will be saved. That is the new contract, the new formal agreement. And it tripped up Nicodemus something terrible.

Jesus explained, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3 NIV).

"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked, taking His words way too literally. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" (v. 4)

The fact that Nicodemus was a Pharisee made his response that much dumber. Jesus pointed out that Nicodemus was a guy who'd dedicated his life to studying and teaching the old covenant, that the old covenant pointed to the new covenant, and that the new covenant was standing right in front of him--so Jesus was very clearly not talking about reentering his mother's womb, and maaaybe Nicodemus should've been quicker on the uptake.

But he wasn't.

Flawed Nicodemus was stuck on the external. His life was all about outward pretentiousness, long-winded empty prayers, ridiculous outfits, and strong-arming the community. It was all fake. Actual faith was not part of Nicodemus' religious acumen. But he'd need it to believe this teacher who came from God, talking about flesh giving birth to flesh and the Spring giving birth to spirit.

It's a heart thing, Nico. Heart, not works. It takes actual faith.

Representing the new covenant, Jesus Christ, was standing before him declaring the most extraordinary promise ever made: If you are born again, you will see the kingdom of heave. If you believe, you will not perish but have eternal life. I've already chosen you; now it's your turn to make the choice.

Nicodemus, what say you?

PRAYER FOCUS

Thank God for freedom from the Law, but in response, ask Him to give you more faith and zeal.

MOVING FORWARD

• Is it sometimes difficult for you to believe the new covenant has replaced the old? Or do you still sometimes think following rules is more important?
• In what ways can you identify with Nicodemus?
• Describe the moment you knew there was a choice about Jesus to be made.