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What is born of water?5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
2. Water refers to water baptism. John 1:25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28“You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.
Nicodemus knew about John's water baptism for repentance. Jesus informed him that there was another requirement. Ellicott, Cambridge Bible, and Bengel agreed to this interpretation #2.33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
water || human flesh3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “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!”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Date | May 3, 2024 |
Verse | Micah 4:4-7 (NIV): "Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. “In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever." John 14:15-21 (NIV): "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." |
Explanation | Micah 4:4-7 is a prophetic passage from the Old Testament, where Micah speaks about the future peace and security that God's people will experience. In this passage, Micah describes a time when everyone will live in safety and prosperity under their own vine and fig tree, symbolizing personal provision and protection. Micah also emphasizes that God's people will not be afraid, as the Lord Almighty will be their protector. Furthermore, Micah mentions that even though other nations may follow their own gods, the Israelites will walk in the name of the Lord forever. This passage also includes a promise of God's restoration and gathering of the lame, exiles, and those who have been brought to grief, indicating God's special care and concern for those who suffer or are oppressed. John 14:15-21 is a passage from the New Testament, where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the importance of loving and obeying Him. In this passage, Jesus assures His followers that if they love Him, they will keep His commands, and in return, He will send them the Holy Spirit as an advocate and companion forever. Jesus emphasizes that the world will not accept the Holy Spirit because they cannot see or understand Him, but His followers will have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus also promises to come back to His disciples and be with them, providing comfort and assurance during His absence. This passage is significant because it shows that God's love and presence are available to all, including those who suffer, have disabilities, or are oppressed. These passages ring true for those who suffer, have disabilities, or are oppressed, as they offer hope, comfort, and assurance that God is with them and will care for them. Micah's promise of peace and protection, and the restoration of the lame and exiles, speaks to those who face daily struggles and hardships. John's assurance of God's presence, through the Holy Spirit, offers comfort and strength to those who may feel alone or forgotten. |
Societal Relevance | In modern society, we can apply these verses in various ways. For example, we can support organizations that help those with disabilities or those who are oppressed, offering them the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We can also offer our time, talents, and compassion to those who are suffering, showing them that they are not alone and that God's love and presence are with them. We can also strive to live our lives in obedience to God's commands, as a way of showing our love and gratitude for all that He has done for us. Finally, we can pray for peace and justice in the world, trusting that God will ultimately bring about His plan for the world and for all of His children. No matter if we suffer from disabilities or not, God loves us. |
Behind the veil was the area of the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.20 He [Moses] took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
i.e., the Holy Place. Only the priests could enter.22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil,
The golden altar of incense was located right in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only the priest could see this altar, the lampstand, and the table of showbread inside the Holy Place.23 and arranged the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle, 25 and set up the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil, 27and burned fragrant incense on it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein says she was charged with assaulting a police officer after she attended a pro-Palestinian protest on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday. According to a statement by Washington University, 100 individuals—including 23 students and four university employees—were arrested on Saturday when they “refused to leave after being asked multiple times.”
“All face charges of trespassing and some may also be charged with resisting arrest and assault, including for injuries to three police officers who sustained injuries including a severe concussion, a broken finger and a groin injury,” the statement added.