Reflections for Lent

John 3:1-13 NRSV

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, 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 a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

In the scripture passage today, we meet Nicodemus. Who is this man who comes seeking Jesus in the dark of night? He is a Pharisee, one of 70 members of the Jewish ruling council, and in Jesus’ words “Israel’s teacher.” Nicodemus, the respected teacher of Israel and diligent follower of God’s law, comes before Jesus with credentials, status, and power. Immediately, Nicodemus acknowledges that he believes Jesus is also a teacher from God, but he is met by the perplexing words of Jesus “no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Elsewhere in scripture we meet another Pharisee, Saul. 

Saul describes himself in Philippians 3:4-5 “- If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee.” Saul had a proper birth and was also a diligent follower of God’s law. What happened to the self-assured Saul? He was “blinded by the light” of a risen Jesus on the way to Damascus. Days later, when he could see again, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. (Acts 9) What happened to Nicodemus? 

Later, we see him in the light of day challenging the other Pharisees to fairly listen to Jesus. Finally, he returns assisting Joseph of Arimathea, another council member, in the burial of Jesus. Two Pharisees, Nicodemus and Saul, both had encounters with Jesus. What did they see? During this season of Lent, a time of reflection, we can sincerely ask the same question Nicodemus asked, “how can these things be?” I think Jesus would give us the same answer he gave to Nicodemus: 

“The Spirit moves unseen, like the wind, and brings new life from above. Believe that I, Jesus, can show you what is going on in heaven because that is where I am from”. How can these things be for us? Look away from ourselves and from our natural birth. Look away from our credentials, status, and self-assurance. With our newborn eyes let Jesus show us the kingdom of God, His home, and ours if we want it. See Jesus and believe. 

~Ronda Bryce~ 

Lord, help us to be reborn from being like the Phar-i-sees to saying, “I see.”