All Scriptures from The Message
Nicodemus appears several times in John’s Gospel as a man of faith and a significant leader who was drawn to Jesus. In the today’s scripture John has Nicodemus questioning who Jesus was and getting what might have seemed an unrelated answer:
John 3:1-2 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it." 3Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom."
• What can we infer about Nicodemus from this scripture? Who was he be and what brought him to Jesus? What might have caused him to come to Jesus late at night? How might he have taken Jesus’ response?
John’s gospel mentions Nicodemus again in 7:46-52:
50-51Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up. "Does our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?" 52-53But they cut him off. "Are you also campaigning for the Galilean? Examine the evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee."
and 19:39.
39-42Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.
• What do these scriptures add to our picture of him? Do you think that he came to regret not standing up with more vigor to the other Jewish leaders? What do his actions at the tomb tell us about whether he saw the Kingdom of God or not?
Let’s look at the story of Nicodemus’ first visit in John 3:1-3 above:
• What does John want us to learn from Nicodemus in this story in his Gospel? How do you think that Jesus felt about Nicodemus being drawn to him because of “signs”? Are the stories of Jesus’ miracles important to you? What is the point of performing miracles, why were they one of the significant features of his ministry?
• Jesus says that his role is to point to “God’s Kingdom” and that we need to have a spiritual rebirth if we are to see it. How has Jesus, through his actions and teachings, revealed God and what God hopes for us to you? Can you think of the two or three most important to you?
• There are at least three ways to translate Jesus’ teaching about seeking the Kingdom of God. The first is that we are to be “born again, a second is “born anew” and the third is “born from above”. How does each speak to you about faith (if at all) and to what extent does each speak to your own experience? Do you have a different way of describing this process of spiritual change?
• All of these translations infer that we will leave something behind if we are reborn. What might some of those things be based on your understanding of the gospels? Have you left anything behind (been changed) by your faith journey?
John continues the story in his Gospel:
John 3:4"How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?" 5-6Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. 7-8"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."
• Is Nicodemus asking a foolish question? Should we feel any constraints in asking questions and seeking answers about our understanding of faith issues? When faith questions have come up in your life and how have you dealt with them? Did you have someone to turn to and ask questions? What other resources did you utilize?
• Jesus gives us the prerequisites for a relationship with God; who has to take action in order to establish and maintain that relationship. Do you relate in any way to the idea of being formed (reformed actually) by the Spirit? Has this been part of your faith journey, have you ever a felt Spiritual presence
• What are some things that are different when we are born from above and formed by the Spirit How are lives changed when this happens? See:
Galatians 5:22-23 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people…
I Corinthians 12:4 Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful…
What would you add to these thoughts?
One part of your preparation for Lent could be taking a spiritual inventory – how is the process of being changed by the Spirit going (it never ends) – what is encouraging and discouraging the change process? Then celebrate the changes for the good and seek God’s guidance in dealing with the constraints.
Closing Prayer
Holy One, grace us with your presence. You who creates, fashion faith from our questions. You who redeems, bring life through our wonderings. You, who breathe life’s breath into us, inspire us to new life in your Spirit. Amen
0 comments:
Post a Comment