Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” John 3:3 (MSG)
Nicodemus and Jesus – Part 1
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, which possibly made him one of the wealthiest and smartest men in the city, if not the country. He was advanced in years and had spent most of life teaching the Torah, interpreting the prophets and ruling disputes, arguments and judgements between and for the people. He had a big theological reputation to uphold. He lived by the rules. His life was about the rules.
And Jesus broke the rules.
WHAT? No, he didn’t, he came to FULFILL the law, right?
Yes. But imagine being Nicodemus, or ANYBODY back then. Jesus was new and different. He spoke of things that resembled the prophet's messages but outplayed in a completely unexpected way. There was no media body or Royal Commission to investigate him and then inform the people of their verdict – safe or heretic. There were Pharisees, Priests, Rabbis and Sadducees; these guys were looked up to in situations and times such as this. And collectively as a community and a nation, they were looking for a Messiah to bring them cultural and political freedom and justification. They were expecting a revolution, war, an overthrown Roman government and a powerful Israel. Jesus was something altogether different and unexpected. Some saw this as dangerous, others saw it as a more powerful freedom, a different kind of revolution, one of the spirit; internal transformation.
How would have you responded? What would have you thought?
Perhaps Simeon (found in Luke 2) had left the Temple after cradling the newborn saviour and found Nicodemus and retold him the words he had spoken over the boy:
“Nicodemus, I saw him… the one who the Spirit has whispered to me about. And I held him and said: Lord and Master, I am your loving servant, And now I can die content, For your promise to me has been fulfilled. With my own eyes I have seen your manifestation, the Savior you sent into the world. He will be glory for your people Israel, And the Revelation Light for all people everywhere! I will die soon Nicodemus, watch and listen on my behalf… wait and see who this young boy will grow to be. For I tell you, he will be a great light and the manifestation of hope for all.”
And within Nicodemus, perhaps a small seed was planted. If not through Simeon, then through Jesus himself or his disciples, or Joseph and Mary… perhaps he listened from the back of the crowd as Jesus delivered his Sermon from the Mount. Perhaps those who Jesus had healed and had come to show him that they were clean of leprosy, that they could see and hear. That their children had been raised from the dead and that life and hope had returned to their homes.
In contrast, as he sat in the Sanhedrin and discussed important matters, they would have spoken about Jesus. Why was he here? What would he do? What would the people do? What will happen to us?
But that seed, tiny and fragile, had taken root in Nicodemus's life and was growing strong and tall. It’s shoots where digging deep into his stomach and its branches were wrapping around his heart, squeezing, flowering… bearing fruit.
Until one day, the internal conflict was too much, and he needed to confront this man who unknowingly was unraveling his well put together theology and life.
I relate to Nicodemus. The theology of my life, (we all have one, by the way) has been shaped, sometimes subconsciously, by my experiences and reactions and upbringing. My theology on forgiveness, my self-worth, purpose, the poor, the broken, my enemies and more are all challenged by Jesus.
A bit of unravelling does a searching soul a lot of good. Especially when your Saviour is a Master Craftsman…
To be continued.
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