John 3:1-15 – Jesus’ nighttime conversation with Nicodemus reveals the necessity of being “born again” or “born from above.” But far from speaking only about individual conversion, Jesus uses the plural throughout, as he is referring to not just to Nicodemus, but Israel as a whole. The passage draws from Ezekiel 36, which speaks of God sprinkling water on Israel and giving it his spirit. It also draws from Ezekiel 37, where the valley of bones is made flesh, then given the Spirit of God. This rebirth of Israel was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, when thousands were baptised and the Holy Spirit given to them. So Israel was reborn, as the church of Jesus Christ.
