Thursday after the First Sunday of Advent, 12/7/00

John 3: 32-6 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. --NIV

In the name of the One by Whom we become citizens of the kingdom of God, amen.

If you ever have a chance to speak to someone who recently immigrated to the United States of American, ask him or her what the process was like. If you were not born an American citizen, it is not easy to become one. People look at our land as the land of opportunity. It is the modern day promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey. There are many advantages to being an American, not the least of which is having food on the table. So, many people sneak in claiming to be American citizens when they are not.

People also sneak into the kingdom of heaven. They are impostors, or hypocrites, who come into the church because they know that there are certain advantages in being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. But you can't really be a citizen of heaven and have those benefits unless you are born into the kingdom. Holy Baptism is that birth that makes a person a member of the kingdom of heaven. In Baptism you do pass through the watery womb of the Church and are born of the Spirit. If you have been baptized and still wonder if you are a citizen of heaven, check your spiritual vital signs: are you sorry for your sins? Do you believe that Jesus Christ Who is true God and true man died for your sins? If you answer yes to these questions, then you are a living, breathing citizen of heaven. You have a right to all the benefits of citizenship, including eternal life. Amen.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I praise You because You chose me, sinful human being, to be Your child in Christ Jesus. I praise You because You caused me to be born again by passing through the womb of the Church in Baptism. I praise You because You made me a citizen of Your kingdom by faith in Jesus. Glory to You forever! Lord, keep me in the True Faith so that I never lose my citizenship in Your kingdom, but that I serve You for eternity, amen.

Copyright 2000 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org