Text: John 2:23-3:15 (see below)
Nicodemus meeting Jesus at night in the Holy City of Jerusalem during the festival of Passover is one of my favorite stories in the Fourth Gospel. Here is a Pharisee who is seeking something more. Obviously not satisfied where his institutional religion has taken him, Nicodemus is searching for something more and he sees in Jesus a remarkable opportunity for renewal.
Nicodemus arrives under the cover of darkness, perhaps so that he is not noticed by the authorities. I believe it is even more than that for the image of the movement from darkness to light is a key theme in the Fourth Gospel. Here is a man who is seeking enlightenment and perhaps this man Jesus will assist him.
The Master’s approach is remarkable, significant and a model for all who pastor or teach. Notice that Jesus does not give him any answers but gently leads Nicodemus into a deeper understanding of the truth. “You must be born again, Nicodemus.” This leader of the Jews is completely dumbstruck by such a saying. His legal mind is trying to figure out how one could possibly be physically born again. Nicodemus is left scratching his head, “How can these things be?”
What happens to our friend Nicodemus? Does he understand the wisdom offered to him on that night? Will he end up following Jesus or return to his home seeking yet another way? Like any good story teller, John encourages us to read on. Nicodemus will appear two more times in this Gospel and each time he moves more bravely into the light gaining understanding, courage, and the willingness to do the right thing at the right time. He is a model of discipleship for us all.
Love One Another - Brian
Pregnant With the New
Martin Buber
When we grow aware of a new way in which to serve God, we should carry it around with us secretly, and without uttering it, for nine months, as though we were pregnant with it, and let others know of it only at the end of that time, as though it were a birth.
Source: Ten Rungs: Hasidic Sayings
John 2:23-3:15
When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone. Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind* blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
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