I just finished reading an article on the subject of being born again. It was based on John 3:1-8, where Jesus teaches Nicodemus that one must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. Jesus says that one must be born of water and the Spirit.

The author of the article talked at length about the Holy Spirit, but neglected the part about the water, which many take to be a clear reference to baptism. After all, baptism washes away our sins (Acts 22:16), is the point in time where we are united with Christ (Romans 6:3-4) and is an important part of our response to the grace that God has shown us through Jesus (Acts 2:38). Why would we not conclude that Jesus is teaching that baptism is an important part of being born again?

However, the author’s glaring omission was covered, accidentally perhaps, by the illustration that accompanied the article. Someone chose a picture of a pair of hands barely visible through the bubbly water; hands that were obviously connected to someone who was submitting to baptism. What the article failed to convey in words was beautifully communicated with the artwork.

Sometimes it is true—A picture is worth a thousand words!