Andy: We start a new sermon series this afternoon looking at some of the people Jesus met in his ministry. Tonight we look at the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus recorded in the third chapter of St John's gospel.
Jasmine: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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."
Andy: Nicodemus was a Pharisee - in other words a Jewish Rabbi who belonged to a movement within the faith that rejected any compromise with Gentile culture. They were the religious fundamentalists of their day - very devout but also very unbending. Whilst they hated Roman rule they would not take part or approve of violent action or revolution. Nicodemus was not only a Pharisee but also a member of the Sanhedrin - the Jewish Council that the Romans set up to be a sort of puppet government to help rule the Jews. The Pharisees tended to be proud and considered themselves the true followers of Moses and Abraham. Most of them did not believe in Jesus.
The fact that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night is significant. He didn't want anyone to know he was talking to Jesus and interested in his message. As an important religious leader he may have felt his ministry would have been undermined if it became known he was on talking terms with Jesus. Even more, Nicodemus seemed to believe in the divine origin of Jesus' authority "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". Nicodemus has come a long way from the rigid position of his fellow Pharisees and is taking quite a risk by coming and speaking to Jesus; albeit at night.
Jasmine: In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
Andy: In response to Nicodemus' statement of faith, Jesus goes and says something both provocative and mysterious. This doesn't make much sense to me but it probably didn't make much sense to Nicodemus either! If we feel confused when we read part of Scripture we are entering into the confusion of those who are in the story. It shows the narrative is speaking to us, moving within us. Nicodemus clearly sees something important is going on but is not quite sure what yet.
Jasmine: "How can one be born when one is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely one cannot enter a second time into one's mother's womb to be born!"
Andy: Jesus is drawing Nicodemus further into the conversation by giving difficult answers he has to think about. The words used as "born again" can also be rendered "born from above" but still have their mysterious connotations about how on earth can someone be born for a second time. If Jesus had given a simple direct answer then Nicodemus wouldn't have really grasped things. We only really learn and understand something profound if we have worked at it and struggled with it.
Jasmine: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Andy: Now Jesus reveals what is really important, but he is still drawing Nicodemus in. Remember that when a baby is born, water gushes out (the amniotic fluid). Is Jesus saying that there must be a physical birth and a spiritual birth? Or is he saying that an outpouring of the Holy Spirit must accompany Baptism?
Jasmine: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Andy: It may seem now that Jesus was speaking more of physical and then spiritual birth, but the baptismal allusion is still there.
Jasmine: You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Andy: In Jesus time people realised that we had been brought to life by God breathing into us - this is the message of the Book of Genesis. Jesus here uses a word which can mean breath or wind or spirit to talk about the Holy Spirit. Jesus is trying to get Nicodemus to see that there is more to faith in God than following rules or behaving as expected. Instead authentic faith is about following the Holy Spirit where ever He leads and letting God continually breathe life into us. As a young Christian I fell into the trap of thinking that the faith was about following a set of rules and living according to a set of expectations. Jesus words here serve as a reminder that faith is about being open to follow the Holy Spirit wherever we are led.
Jasmine: "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?
Andy: Jesus is playing with Nicodemus now. Clearly Nicodemus knew the Scriptures of the time should have recognised this talk about Spirit and wind. He should have known his Scripture and remembered the words of Joel about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In a sense, Jesus was speaking in a code that Nicodemus should have understood. We don't know for certain if Nicodemus finally came to faith, but he did help prepare Jesus' body for burial so it seems likely.
Jasmine: I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to
what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
Andy: Jesus could speak of heaven and the Holy Spirit with authority because he knew.
Jasmine: I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
Andy: Jesus has told him about the Kingdom on earth, and Nicodemus has not yet made a profession of faith. There is so much more to tell, but Nicodemus will have to get off the fence and make a leap of faith. I have been watching the BBC series "The Convent" about four women who go to live with the Poor Clare nuns in Arundel for 40 days. One of them, in particular, is very damaged and she agonises for most of her 40 days about whether to trust in God or not - symbolised by whether to go up for a blessing at Mass. On day 38 she finally does it and makes her leap of faith and in her video diary afterwards she is just glowing. Nicodemus is not yet ready to make that leap but he, like us, needs to in order to fully understand what Jesus is offering and explaining.
When we first committed to follow Jesus we too had to take a leap of faith, we may have found out a lot about Christianity but it is only in committing to follow Christ and taking that leap of faith that we actually begin to understand it.
We can be like Nicodemus and be respectful of Jesus, recognising even that he came from God, or we can move beyond that position and realise that Jesus is God incarnate who calls us to follow him, led by the Spirit who blows wherever He wills.
Amen.
This
sermon was first preached in the Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester.
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