Key Verse: "whoever
believes in Him, is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands
condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only
Son."
John 3:18
I love this episode because it shows that Jesus is having an
effect on those who are willing to think. There is a lot at stake here for
Nicodemus. He is in leadership. He is religious. He has obviously been present
during much of the interrogation that Jesus has received at the hands of his
colleagues. Nicodemus is observing his peers and Jesus’ response and, while he may have remained silent in the group, Jesus is getting through.
When I use my imagination, I find myself wakeful on a warm,
spring night. Perhaps there are the usual spring sounds of peepers and night
birds. Maybe even an occasional hoot owl calls from a distant tree. Soft snoring
can be heard from the disciples, but Jesus sits thoughtfully by the fire, perhaps
praying, perhaps reflecting, waiting for Nicodemus to arrive. Poor Nicodemus is
too timid to break from the pack and make a bold claim of faith. Yet, like
Peter before him, who used a little faith to step out of the boat, now
Nicodemus is taking a baby step of faith of his own. Jesus would honor that
little step done in secret. Now, here he is.
What is it about Jesus that was getting through? Even with
this powerful man standing before Him, rather than grovel in appreciation,
Jesus does not mince words, but remains truthful to His purpose to advance the
Kingdom. Jesus even dares to challenge Nicodemus' intellect a little. "You
are an Israelite teacher and do not understand these things?" (John 3:10)
Yet, Jesus had already explained earlier what the stumbling block would be to
understanding. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to
spirit." (John 3:6) So much of what even we understand, is through the
help of the Holy Spirit. We really need to remember to pray for the Lord to
prepare the heart of the one with whom we wish to share the good news of
Christ.
This is why Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus means
by being, "born again." Yet, to his credit, he does not flare up in
anger at being insulted, or go away, but struggles to understand. All that he
can think of is a second, physical birth, a do over of one’s life, a chance to
avoid the mistakes made the first time around.
In a way, that is what Jesus' example of Moses' snake in the
wilderness provides. The people had sinned greatly by, once again, grumbling
against God. They were attacked by poisonous snakes and were dying. God
provided a symbol of His grace, for the people to look at, as an act of faith,
and be given another chance to commit themselves to Him. Numbers
21:4-9)
Nicodemus understands this, but now Jesus, gently broadens
his horizon by comparing Himself with the snake, only, it isn't just the people
in the wilderness who are being poisoned by the venomous snake, but the world
is being poisoned by sin. Just as the brass snake on the pole did not condemn,
but provided a means of grace for physical life, for those who would believe,
now Jesus also has not come to condemn, but to graciously provide a means for a
second life, a Spiritual rebirth, for any who will look to Jesus and find the
answer to their hope in Him.
Jesus is still there, waiting for all to look. No one will
be forced to turn their heads away, not by God anyway. All are welcome to place
their trust in Him. Was Jesus successful in winning Nicodemus over as a
disciple that night? We will meet him again. What is important for now is to
recognize that seeds were planted. Sometimes, that's all we need to do.
Hymn: "God So Loved the World" also God So Loved the World
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