Encountering Jesus
John 3:1-17
Nicodemus is intrigued with everything Jesus says and does. At least it seems that way. Perhaps he is worried what it will mean for himself or others. It seems more likely to me though that he is more interested in the transformation that comes with embracing Jesus’ teachings. But that is difficult…for all of us.
Jesus say “no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (3) and Nicodemus wants to make sense of this idea. He is confused and intrigued. He sees the signs and how people are responding and he knows something significant is happening with this teacher. So he sneaks under the cover of darkness to talk with Jesus. Nicodemus wants something more solid and something that he can bring security. There is a play on words here; Nicodemus does not hear “born from above” but hears that one must be “born again” (v. 4). Nicodemus counters with a question about how one can be born again. He imagines that it is something that he can control, re-entering his mother’s womb.
Nicodemus’ response is not unusual; it often our response. We try to find something more solid, something that we can hand onto, something we can control. Salvation is not our’s to control though, it is God’s. Salvation is a gift from God. Trying to help him understand, Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and tells him it will be like the winds blowing where they choose. It is a mystery; we cannot know where it comes from or where it goes. “So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (v. 8). It stirs in us before we even know it is present in us.
We think we know this passage of scripture, but we start digging around and discover new richness in its meanings. It is like soil that we look at perhaps everyday and don’t think much about but then as we dig out the rocks and pull the weeds and turn the soil over we discover that it is much richer than we first realized.
Reflection Questions:
Is there a part of your own faith journey that you look back on and gently, generously chuckle at yourself?
It’s hard for all of us to get our heads wrapped around God’s infinite love, and we all get sidetracked or scrambled. Can you picture God—our infinitely forgiving father—smiling at you as you try to puzzle it out?
What’s something that’s drawing you forward on your faith journey right now?
What about God’s promises revealed in Jesus feels like “the real deal?” Is there a part of your life or identity that you might have to let go of to take that step? Does that feel scary, or freeing, or both?