Thoughts for the Day

Nicodemus Visits Jesus

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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Nicodemus is a Pharisee (and most probably a member of the ruling body, the Sanhedrin) and he comes to Jesus on the quiet. Opposition to Jesus is already growing so perhaps he can't afford to be seen. He comes to learn more about Jesus and his message, though notice that he doesn't actually ask a question - he makes a statement - "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 agrees and uses the phrase "being born from above" which we often find translated as "being born again". This little phrase can cause problems. For instance, some Christians expect others to be able to quote the exact date and time they were "born again in the Spirit", and denigrate those who cannot answer; while others will be re-baptised because they don't feel their baptism as a baby was sufficient. One theologian (W. Brents) pointed out "The mist and fog that has been thrown around this verse envelopes it in darkness thick as that with which God cursed the land of Egypt." No Christian should look down on another Christian - it is God who judges! Having said this I personally was so changed by the question "Have you been born again?" when I was 18 years old, for it made me re-evaluate my commitment as a Christian, so I can say it was a pivotal moment that changed my life, though not quite in the way the Methodist lay preacher might have expected.

Jews expected to be admitted into God's Kingdom because they were God's chosen people, but Jesus says this is not enough. We may not understand exactly what being 'born again' means (some think we are born again through baptism; some through the Word of God; and others through the Holy Spirit), but what we do know is that we are not born again in a spiritual sense because of something we do, but because we open ourselves to God's Spirit and allow Him to work in us.

Holy Spirit,
breath of God,
work within us that which is pleasing
so that we may continue to grow in faith
and live out our life this Lent in faithfulness
as members of Your Kingdom.
Amen.