Jump Start # 62

John 3:2 “this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

  Nicodemus had heard about Jesus, in fact, in that area who hadn’t. Jesus was doing two things that were most unusual. First, He was healing the sick. His miracles began with the changing of water into wine. But from then on He had healed many who were diseased and blind. Crowds were coming to Him to receive the benefits. No one was doing what He was doing. Second, Jesus was teaching like no one else. He had not been formally trained by the Rabbis. He did not quote ancient Rabbis as others did. He was the authority. And on top of all that, Jesus was barely in this thirties. How could someone so “young” obtain so much wisdom, assurance and authority? Nicodemus certainly wanted to find out more.

  Many scholars read into this passage that Nicodemus was afraid of his fellow Jews so he sought Jesus out at night. Possibly. Possibly, it was the only time he could get Jesus alone. Jesus was a busy person.

  This passage leads into the wonderful declaration of Jesus that a person must be born anew or born again. So absolute was Jesus that He said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” That’s specific! Born of the Spirit would be the Holy Spirit. The Spirit descended upon Jesus as He began His ministry. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where He was tempted. The Spirit would later come to the apostles to guide them and teach them. Their words were directed by the Spirit. Born of the Spirit is the message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the power unto salvation (Rom 1:16). Born of the water is not a physical birth as we use the expression, “her water broke.” This is a spiritual context. One is born of the water through baptism. Romans 6 describes baptism both as a burial and a resurrection of a new life—similar to born anew or born again. Throughout Acts, baptism plays an essential role in the preaching and receiving of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

  Our passage for today shows that Nicodemus didn’t fully grasp who Jesus was. He knew Jesus was from God, the signs proved that. He recognized Jesus as a teacher. But he didn’t know Him as God. That would come. After the death of Jesus, it is Joseph and Nicodemus who take the body of Jesus and lay it in the tomb. What a sad scene. Jesus had been followed by multitudes but now only a handful are there to bury Him. Were any prayers said? Did they reflect on the life now over? Did they think they had come to the end of the journey? “Up from the grave He arose,” wouldn’t be realized in their hearts yet.

  There is a wonderful play on words in this exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus says, “WE know that you have come from God…” Jesus responded with, “Truly, truly I say to YOU.” Nicodemus came with the safe “we” have heard. Jesus always responds with “I say to YOU.” Our faith, our walk, and our relationship must be personal. Don’t hide behind the church, “we believe…” Don’t hide behind your family, “We always have thought…” What do you believe? What do you think? This is what Jesus wants. Nicodemus would understand that and he would have a faith that was his own. That is the road we must all journey on. A faith that is personal, real and mine. Not a faith of my parents. Not a faith of “us,” but of “me.”

  The journey begins by coming to Jesus, as Nicodemus did.

 Roger