Perspectives

In the third chapter of the gospel of John we have a story about a man named Nicodemus; who I believe was a secret disciple of Jesus Christ. I say this because after the crucifixion of Jesus, he boldly stepped out of the shadows and identified himself with Christ. He risked his own life when he joined Joseph of Arimathea in the removal of Jesus’ body from the Cross and participated in Christ’s burial.

Many people find it somewhat difficult to put their trust in Christ. Oh we say we do, but when I take a look at myself, I feel at times I’m not much different than this fellow Nicodemus. There was a tug of war going on in Nicodemus’ heart; part of him wanted to trust in Jesus, but his religious teaching screamed out at him not to believe what Jesus was teaching. Nicodemus was at the top of his profession, he was a teacher of religion. If he could have earned entry into heaven because of his reputation; well! He would have been ushered into the very presence of God himself. Jesus on the other hand tries to tell Nicodemus that just because he is a religious teacher does not open the door to heaven; because, He said, “it is a very personal spiritual matter, you must be born again.” Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was talking about. He could not understand how he, a righteous man, would not be welcomed into heaven.

In the gospel of John 3:2-5 we find that Nicodemus came to see Jesus during the night. There were probably a number of good reasons for that. Perhaps it was a sign of suspicion. He may not have wanted to commit himself by coming to Jesus when others could see him. However, I must not condemn him for that, after all, with his background it was a miracle of grace that he overcame his narrow-mindedness about Jesus’ followers, and the life of these followers to approach Christ at all. Yes! That was a miracle. But give this a thought; perhaps he wanted an absolute private kind of meeting, where nothing, would break that close encounter with Christ.

It is not difficult to understand why Nicodemus was somewhat confused. Neither is it difficult for us to recognize that within his heart and life there was this longing that only Christ could satisfy. We can say this; because, many of us have experienced that kind of longing ourselves. So Nicodemus meets Jesus, and Jesus engages him in a conversation that would change his life. This is what Nicodemus says: John 3:2. . . He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus answers him in a way that is rather hard for him to understand . . . 3) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,” That answer totally confused Nicodemus; because look what he says . . . 4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus comes back with an answer that I believe left Nicodemus breathless . . . 5) Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

When we read this story in the Bible, we can tell that Nicodemus was waging a battle within his heart that only the Holy Spirit could win for him. His mind is confused when he asked Jesus how anyone could enter again into his mother’s womb and be born a second time when he is already an old man? But I have a feeling here that the power of the Holy Spirit was revealing the miracle of the New Birth to Nicodemus, and he knew what Jesus was talking about. Perhaps at this stage we can put words in the mouth of Nicodemus, and surmise what we might have said. “You talk about being born again, about a deep-seated change in my heart which I’ll agree is necessary for me. But with my experience and my understanding of religious teaching that is impossible for me. I’d like nothing more, but you might as well tell me, a full grown person, to enter again into my mother’s womb and be born all over again.”

Nicodemus had reached a point in his conversation with Jesus where many of us have been; and where perhaps some of us are at this very moment. It was not the desirability of the New Birth that Nicodemus was questioning; he recognized his problem all right. The problem of the person who wants to be changed, but cannot change themselves. For this change to take place we must ask Jesus Christ to come into our life. The shortest prayer I every said was, “Lord heal my sin sick heart. “ And He did.

Would you pray this prayer with me . . . “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen