Nicodemus, listen to this eternal truth: You can perceive the kingdom realm of God, but you must first experience a rebirth. John 3:2-3
Re-birth is Easy to Type – The Rebirth Series – Part 2
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5
Under cover of a black sky and dark streets, Nicodemus made a midnight pilgrimage to a meeting so he could finally get the questions burning a hole in his soul out and onto the table.
He’s been criticised over the years for his covert journey, for hiding in the night while making his way to Jesus. Was he ashamed? Did he have one foot in each camp? Was he keeping his options open? Was he a wolf in sheep clothing?
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He would have been one of the wealthiest and smartest men in the city, if not the country. He had spent most of life, decades, teaching the Torah, interpreting the prophets, and ruling disputes between and for the people. He had a certain reputation to uphold. Which doesn’t mean he was image driven like we would think about up-holding reputations. He WAS his position, title, and office. It wasn’t just a reputation, but a way of life.
He lived by the rules. His life was about the rules.
And Jesus broke the rules.
He was born of a virgin.
He chose fisherman for disciples.
He saved the best wine till last.
He healed on the Sabbath.
He ate with tax collectors and sex workers.
He made crazy, seemingly heretical claims about who he was and what he was doing.
Strange behavior for someone who was meant to “fulfill” the law of the Torah and the prophets. Of which Nicodemus was an expert.
I think he crept to this meeting in the dead of night because he was doing the next right thing that he could: talk to Jesus.
Put yourself in his shoes. Imagine you had his office, training, years of experience, place in the community, responsibilities – cultural, historical, and religious responsibilities – that were not just about going to church on Sunday but were embedded into his way of life and reason for being.
You don’t throw that away on a whim.
Re-birth is easy to type, or to read, or to judge, but to go through? It takes work, time, preparation, faith, risk, energy… it takes all you’ve got.
Many of us are preparing to start a new “thing” with lists and goals and visions and ideas. All of which is exciting and empowering. But for those things to become tangible, they must live off the page and into our lives. We’ve got to do the work.
And for some of us, the changes and endeavors we are pursuing are not unlike a re-birth. Whether it be your health, vocation, relationships, or faith: you don’t throw these things away, or transform them, on a whim.
You do the work. You ask your questions. You make your lists. Maybe you even embark on a private pilgrimage so sacred and life-changing, that you do so hidden in the dark, unknown to those around you whom it would impact.
Research, collate, make lists, prepare. After the birth, when your plans and waiting have come to tangible fruition, you can’t help but do that in the bright light of day. But the intimate workings of complete life change – of conception – should happen in a more private, sacred space.
I think that’s what was happening to Nicodemus. A respected pillar of the community, dependable, predictable, structured and loved, felt the tug of change in his heart. And not just any change – a complete and absolute turn around.
Something that would ripple beyond his life and into the lives of others.
Go to Listen to this Eternal Truth – The Rebirth Series – Part 3
Written by Liz Milani
[font_awesome link=”https://www.instagram.com/lizzy.milani/” icon=”instagram” color=”000″ size=”16px” margin_right=”” margin_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=””] lizzy.milani [font_awesome link=”https://www.twitter.com/lizzymilani/” icon=”twitter” color=”000″ size=”16px” margin_right=”” margin_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=””] lizzymilani
[vcex_image_grid columns=”3″ pagination=”false” thumbnail_link=”custom_link” link_title_tag=”true” custom_links_target=”_blank” overlay_style=”title-category-visible” columns_gap=”5″ img_hover_style=”fade-out” image_ids=”20934,20935,20937″ custom_links=”https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1239768002?pt=118656308&ct=blog%20footer&mt=8,https://www.pktfuel.com/dailyemail,https://www.pktfuel.com/support” img_height=”350″]