“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” - John 3:3 (NIV).
The English language is said to have originated from Germany with Anglo Saxon immigrants taking it to Britain about the 5th century. What made it so special was its capacity to borrow and incorporate new words where it was. Over time it borrowed from other European languages like Latin, Greek, French, Dutch and Germany. Today it is the most spoken language in the world by over 1.3 billion people!
After the Bible was translated from Hebrew and Greek; English, was also used as a vehicle for missions. Here in Uganda when the Bible was first translated in Luganda in 1896 there were certain words whose meaning could not be easily translated from English, like “born again”. While for English someone who received Jesus as a personal savior became “Born Again”; here, the nearest translation found was “okulokoka!”
This is a powerful Luganda word that means, among others, “being restored”! Essentially it means that one has been redeemed and has taken on a new life altogether, just as the scriptures say, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17).
Nicodemus expressed concern at the use of the word “born again” by posing, “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!” (vv 4). He imagined being born- again in its physical form. However, Jesus clarified it was more than that, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit" (vv 5).
“Okulokoka” from which the singular “Mulokole” comes from essentially means one who after accepting Christ experiences a certain change in behavior, not of his power but a rebirth that only comes from God. “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again” (vv 6-7).
Through the work of the Holy spirit a life is transformed and hence the term “yalokoka” meaning, one was freed from a past and now walks anew with Christ. If you have not made that decision, it is the best you could for now and forever.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the gift of salvation that comes by receiving you as Lord and personal savior, with power to redeem and transform my life, which I am ever thankful, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
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19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
