The Nicodemus Trajectory
Laura Digan
March 24, 2024
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John 3: 1-21 (NRSVA)
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 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.’ 3 Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4 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?’ 5 Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8 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.’ 9 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10 Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 ‘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. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’
Nicodemus speaks:
“I have been blessed in life. I’ve had money and status, both of which have given me a privileged position in our society. I knew I had made it when I became a Pharisee and then again when I was invited to be a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court.
When I became a Pharisee I took an oath to uphold and live by all the Jewish laws. I was happy to do this because for us the law is the sacred word of God.
But I became disillusioned quite quickly as I realised not all my brothers' hearts were in the right place, some even abused the position they had.
Even though I had wealth and position I always felt an emptiness within me. A sense there was something more. Maybe I tried to fill this hole with my zealousness for religion. But seeing my brothers’ hypocrisy just exacerbated the emptiness I felt.
And then I encountered the Rabbi Jesus teaching in the synagogue and he actually called out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. I couldn’t believe he had the gall to call them out, to call us out. I had heard the rumours about Jesus, the miracles he was doing, his teachings about God. There were even whisperings that he was the Messiah. Folk were taking notice. But calling out the religious leaders… well now he had our attention.
He had my attention. He couldn’t do what he was doing if God wasn’t with him.
His words kept going round in my head and I wanted to know more. But how could I? I had a position to uphold? What would people think if they knew I was speaking with Jesus?
I sent him a note to see if I could visit him privately. When he agreed I visited him under cover of darkness so no one could see me. No one must know.
He answered my questions and for the first time in a long time I felt filled. I felt I was where I was meant to be.
I was no longer walking in the darkness but in the light.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Blow away the beliefs I have that keep me from fully trusting you,
the beliefs that keep me from fully believing in you.
Blow away the beliefs that keep me from fully loving you.
Blow them away Lord.
Fill me with courage and vision as I journey with you in the light,
willing to risk all for you.
Amen
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