John 3:1-12
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, 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 the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Nicodemus was a good man, a wise and observant man. As a mature leader in Israel he had carefully observed Jesus and taken his time. Nicodemus had many of the qualities we should value and too often find lacking in men who ought to be leaders in the church. He was cautious and prudent, neither rash in his reasoning nor abrupt with his words. Nicodemus was a churchman and among his peers deserved to be regarded as a pillar of the Jewish community.
I think it a bit unfair to criticize Nicodemus for seeking out Jesus at night. Perhaps it looks as though he was a little cowardly. Did he fear a backlash from his colleagues in the Sanhedrin or is he simply being shrewd not to provide himself escape under cover of darkness if the encounter was unsuccessful? Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. I prefer to think it was his desire for a serious personal conversation with this Jesus that motivated his coming in the wee hours when the commotion of the day had settled.
Some of the most valuable hours in my pastoral ministry have been in the hush and unhurried calm of a late evening when there is no “next appointment” and far less possibility of being interrupted by a phone call or children under foot.
This was not a clandestinely meeting, and Nicodemus was not there to worm something from Jesus or trap him. His first words were respectful and affirmative, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher come from God.” Such is high praise from someone who, no doubt, had observed many religious figures over the years. But surely this Jesus was an authentic man of God who confirmed his legitimacy with persuasive acts, astonishing miracles, and extraordinary signs. Because of these great signs Nicodemus could draw no other conclusion but that Jesus was someone very special. This ruler of the Jews was impressed and perhaps quite different from many of his contemporaries, he was not so full of himself to deny it. He meant to pay Jesus a compliment and did so.
He was ready to look up to Jesus.
Nicodemus might be called a creditable seeker. He had watched Jesus, evaluated the man, processed his own thinking, drawn his own conclusions, and was willing to air his thoughts—all highly commendable qualities. Yet with all his wisdom and experience, Nicodemus did not yet understand what constitutes the true marvel of Jesus—not his superiority but his lowliness.
A mature religious man like Nicodemus can draw logical conclusions. A thoughtful adult can hold Jesus in regard and in honestly saying nice things about him believe that proper tribute has been given. Some very fine people like Nicodemus esteem the man of Galilee. It may startle us to realize that among level-headed Muslims, thoughtful Jews and even a few fair-minded atheists, Jesus is accorded a measure of respect as a teacher, as a model of morality, or for his piety.
But there is much more to Christ far beyond scholarship, investigation, or mature judgment. One cannot know Him unless reborn of water and the Spirit. If Nicodemus had hoped to have a learned, intellectual conversation in which Jesus (the teacher Nicodemus believed him to be), would further assist this very sincere ruler of the Jews to become just that much more capable and conscientious an observer, this was not where Jesus took him.
Nicodemus was invited to consider something utterly radical—starting all over again. Being born again. Jesus never denied the statement Nicodemus made regarding him. He was a teacher come from God. The signs of his ministry could not be done by anyone other than someone from God. But the Jesus we need is not discovered by detection or judgment or decision. That which is born of flesh is flesh. Nicodemus did not, as yet, realize that the track of the flesh does not ascertain God. Rather, it leaves a man only with himself.
The work of God the Holy Spirit, however, breathes life, and creates that living faith which knows the truth beyond the world of logic, science, observation, calculation, or philosophy. The best that sinful men can obtain—even men like Nicodemus—is merely a reproduction of their own imperfections. Attempting to esteem Jesus, they only show how little they know of Him.
So, Christ gives the better way… a brand new start. A whole new life. A birth wholly other than the birth of the flesh, a mother’s womb or a father’s will.
This is not to say that all Nicodemus’ good qualities have no value. It is to say those values cannot obtain the Kingdom of God. A man’s maturity, study, or performance cannot achieve what God by His own Spirit can do.
Here was a sweeping and fundament reversal for Nicodemus. He was bewildered. “How can these things be,” he asked. Here even was a ruler in Israel who did not understand … who did not even understand earthly things because he gave credence, authority, and his confidence to a fleshly approach to God that cannot deliver. How then can he understand heavenly things?
He can't. At least not by fleshly means.
He only can understand by means of the Spirit, that is by means chosen by God, by the new birth in Holy Baptism which is the new birth of the Spirit.
I have empathy for Nicodemus. We Christian men have all struggled similarly. How often we revert to our logic, reason, good sense, and skills! How often we have claimed ourselves secure in worldly opinions or conclusions only to have the same dissolve in delusion and dissatisfaction ? But Jesus did not abandon Nicodemus, nor does He us. Nicodemus became a follower of Christ. He carried Jesus’ lifeless body to its tomb Good Friday. And I’m sure Nicodemus was a witness of Jesus’ resurrection, that out of the lifeless womb of rock, the dead Jesus came forth alive—not by the strength of flesh but by the power of the Spirit.
As we prepare this Advent, let us not marvel at the achievement of man but at the work of the Spirit who has given us new birth into a living hope through Jesus Christ.
