Many of us can recall the name of a good
teacher who provided us with solid foundations in this or that school subject.
But can we recall the name of a person who was a good teacher in the subject of
life? In this week’s scripture readings we meet Nicodemus. Nicodemus, a member
of the Jewish Council and a known Pharisee, pays a night visit to Jesus and
states, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no
one could do these miraculous signs unless God is with him.”
He came at night because he was
searching for answers or light in the dark places of his life. He also wanted
to avoid being judged by his colleagues since this was a time when many were
very bitter toward Jesus. At this time, Nicodemus spoke of how he was impressed
with the signs that Jesus made, but Jesus moved to a more important subject
when he stated that one must be, “born anew” before they can see the reign of
God. A new life— like a brand-new baby discovering the world again.
In those days and perhaps in today’s
society, where you come from determines who you are and where you are going.
Jesus was clear that to be born again is to be connected or born from God using
the word “above.” Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be reborn?
It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born.”
Jesus said that since Nicodemus was a teacher, he should understand these
things. It’s all in scripture.
Why couldn’t Nicodemus see it? To be
born again is to born of the water and the spirit— it is baptism. In this the
human spirit, not the flesh, changes in eternal ways. This was the answer, the
light in his darkness that Nicodemus had been seeking, whether he
Can you think of
some examples of things we lift up and focus on, whether slogans or actual objects?
Think about the placards you see in a demonstration and the people shouting out
words in support of whatever it is they’re holding. This is what they are
saying is their focus and important to them as they lift up their placards.
Have you ever noticed particularly in sports involving the USA someone always manages to lift a placard up in front of the TV cameras that
either says John 3:16 or quotes the passage?
Check it out and notice every time the Olympic Games or other important
events such as NFL games are being televised world-wide this seems to happen.
You may ask why anyone would want to do that... but I reckon they are trying to
give us a reminder of God’s love for the world,
John 3:16 is one of the most oft-quoted
Bible verses. This verse, speaks of God’s love
for us and how we will never
perish and have eternal life if we believe in Jesus. God’s love is open and
available to all. God allowed the death of Jesus at human hands to show us the
magnitude of his love. Then God gave us the Resurrection to enable us to come
back into relationship. This is the kind of love that is mutual and full of
God’s grace. God’s grace sent Jesus into the world not to judge it but to bring
it back into relationship and enable the world to live as God calls us to live. This was the very mission of Jesus.
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