GOD WAS IN CHRIST

Jesus went up to Jerusalem when the city was packed with Passover pilgrims who had come for their annual remembrance of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It was against the backdrop of the Passover story that Jesus chose to reveal His glory. But from the man-on-the-street to the members of the Sanhedrin, Jesus remained a mystery. His miraculous signs reminded them of Moses and fueled their Messianic passion, but just who Jesus was, no one could explain.

Intrigued by the miraculous signs Jesus was doing, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish Ruling Council (the Sanhedrin) came by night to talk to Jesus personally to find out whether He might be the One. His coming by night was for personal reasons many have speculated about, but it also avoided controversy for Jesus. Nicodemus was dealing with ideas that only a few in the Council would agree with. Speaking for himself and an unknown number of others on the Council, Nicodemus said an amazing thing. He 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.” (John 3:2)

What Nicodemus said was amazing, given who he was, but the fact that he, a member of the Ruling Council, came to Jesus was not unusual. Some of their number questioned John the Baptist to see if he was the One. These men were the religious professionals. They were the “best of the best” in their Rabbi’s class. They all knew Scripture thoroughly – had it memorized. They were the “teachers of Israel” who interpreted Scripture. Make no mistake about it the Ruling Council was a group of brilliant men who lived in the Scripture. Not only that, but they had their collective finger on the religious pulse of the times in Israel and knew what was happening in Jerusalem. As many in Israel, they too were watching and waiting for the Messiah who was prophesied about in Scripture. If there were any who should have recognized Him surely it would have been the members of this group. What they saw in Jesus did make them wonder.

With a loaded lead-in statement, Nicodemus went straight to the point to probe the possibility that Jesus might be the Messiah. A lot hinged upon Jesus’ response. To have claimed to be the Messiah that night would have set off a chain of events that could have brought things to where they ultimately came two Passovers later. Jesus did not trust Himself to them and thus failed to give the answer Nicodemus and his associates had hoped for. Jesus consistently avoided the Messiah title because He did not fit the model Israel was expecting. In fact what Jesus did say thoroughly confused this “teacher of Israel.” Jesus knew that before they could accept Him for who He truly was a new birth and a new covenant would be necessary. On that night no one was prepared for that.

Nicodemus and others on the Council saw Jesus’ miracles and for a brief moment caught a glimpse of God. But they were not ready to see God in Jesus; and that is where they dropped the ball. What they were looking for was a Messiah sent by God but did not expect God incarnate – God become flesh. Whatever tradition claims for Nicodemus later, on that night when he talked with Jesus face to face he failed to see who He was. Boxed-in by his traditions and interpretations of Scripture he did not recognize the “One greater than the temple, greater than Solomon and greater than the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:6,41 & 42; Luke 7:28; 11:31 & 32)
Nicodemus’ thinking was theologically profound and centered in studied biblical knowledge, but was faulty in that it was limited to the finite terms of his present physical world. He expected a Messiah who’s Kingdom was physical and who would lead Israel to national prominence once again. Jesus’ response to his probing remark left him cold as He spoke in riddle-like terms of a Spiritual Kingdom. Jesus would later say, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth.” (John 4:23) Nicodemus was so physical and literal in his orientation, that when Jesus spoke of a second birth, he thought of returning to a mother’s womb to experience a physical birth.

Keep in mind that Nicodemus was a Biblical scholar and keeper of the commandments. His moral and religious life was above reproach. He was fixed in his religious beliefs and practices. Yet to such a one as this Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) “Born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:13) “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6) Jesus was saying to him “you must start from the beginning as if you were an infant that knows nothing. You must receive the Kingdom as a little child to whom all things are new. What I offer you is ‘new wine’ thus it must be put in new ‘wineskins.’”

Jesus’ answer to Nicodemus offers an open door to all who desire to see and enter The Kingdom of God. What Jesus said to Nicodemus He still says to you and me.

Let’s meet again here on The Teaching Steps and explore what “you must be born again” means for you and me.