Yeshua the Messiah said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “I tell you the truth…You must be born again.”
What does it mean to be “born again?”
According to Yeshua for one to enter the kingdom of heaven he must experience two births, not just one. The rabbis taught, “All Israel has a share in the world to come” (Mishnah San 10:1). In their minds only one birth was necessary. Today, many believe that since God is love he will accept everyone and none will miss out on heaven. The flaw with this thinking is the thought that a single birth is all that is necessary. But Yeshua taught two births are necessary. The first is birth into the human family. The second is a spiritual birth of faith in what God has done for us in the person of his Son, our Messiah. Two steps are necessary to experience the new birth. The first was taken by God when He sent His Son to provide atonement for our sins. The second is our response to what God has done. We are required to believe in God’s Son, our Messiah who has provided atonement for sin.
Does the Bible really teach that Israel will experience a spiritual rebirth in a single day?
The Bible does teach this truth. Isaiah points this out when he asks, “Can a country be born in a day, or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” (Isaiah 66:8). Initially, one would think, “Of course not. How could it be possible for a nation to be born in a day?” But, on further reflection we are reminded with God all things are possible, even the nation of Israel being restored in one day. Zechariah the prophet also states, “…I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.” (Zechariah 3:9; Micah 4:4). And the Psalmist makes this great promise, “When the Lord will rebuild Zion he will appear in his glory.” (Psalm 102:16). The day Messiah appears in his glory he will rebuild Israel and that will occur in a single day. Consider closely what Jesus said about his own return. He said, all nations “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30).
What did Paul mean when he said, “…all Israel shall be saved…The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob?” (Romans 11:26)
Paul’s statement refers to a yet future time when Messiah Yeshua will return. And when he does “all Israel,” that is all of the Jewish people living at the time of Messiah’s return, “shall be saved.” They will be saved because they will then recognize Yeshua to be their Messiah and Savior. This will happen Isaiah tells us in a single day. He writes, “Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.” (Isaiah 66:8). Israel’s restoration will be so quick, it will be like a woman giving birth to a child before labor pains even begin.
What is the significance of Yeshua referring to himself as the Good Shepherd?
When Yeshua refers to himself as the Good Shepherd he is deliberately identifying himself with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Two passages in the Hebrew Scriptures reveal this to be the case. Ezekiel the prophet speaks of the “Sovereign Lord” as a shepherd who looks after his flock of sheep. (Ezekiel 34:11). Of course that flock is the nation of Israel. And he promises that as a good shepherd he will “bring the Jewish people out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and he will bring them into their own land,” (Ezekiel 34:13) the land of Israel. Asaph, in the Psalms writes of God as the “Shepherd of Israel,” who “leads Joseph like a flock,” and both “saves and “restores” Israel spiritually and nationally (Psalm 80:1). This of course is what Yeshua does as the Good Shepherd, who “lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Shavuoth or Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the body of believers.
The means by which believers are formed into a “body” is through the work of the Holy Spirit who was given to believers on Shavuoth, or the Feast of Weeks. According to Paul this community of believers is the body of Messiah. He writes, “…he (Messiah) is the head of the body (Colossians 1:18). In the book of Ephesians Paul clearly teaches that the body of believers is made up of both Jews and non-Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah and are united together into one body. (Ephesians 2:17-18). Lastly, according to I Corinthians it is by means of the Holy Spirit’s work that individuals are placed into the body of Messiah. Paul writes, “For we were all immersed by one Spirit into one body whether Jews or non-Jews, slave or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Have you experienced this work of the Spirit in your life? Why not accept Yeshua as your Messiah and receive the fullness of His Spirit today.