Nicodemus

Gohere to read John 3.

In John 3, we have the powerhouse verse found on signs at every sporting event around the world. I'm going to look at something different in this chapter: Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who sought out Jesus to find out more. Pharisees have a pretty bad reputation but it seems that Nicodemus was faithful, a teacher, and yet also curious about Jesus. And he just couldn't grasp the idea of being "born again."

As someone who has lived her entire life smack dab in the middle of the Bible belt, it's hard to imagine a time and place where being "born again" isn't understood. But it's kind of a difficult thing to grasp. And as Jesus said to Nicodemus, "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"

Nicodemus was a learned man and honestly curious to know more...and he just couldn't get it, couldn't understand that Jesus brought new life through a rebirth, not physically here but spiritually. I like this story, especially compared to the next chapter with the Samaritan woman because I think we see these same conversation every day...the super religious who know the right things to say and may even be genuinely seeking Christ like Nicodemus who struggle and sinners like the Samaritan woman who hurt and only have to be offered an option to grab hold of it. Both are sinners, both come to Christ, but with vastly different experiences. How lucky we are that Jesus came to save the lost, no matter their position in society. And even more lucky that Jesus had a message to reach them both...and you...and me.