A WORD FOR TODAY, November 15, 2021
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. For by this, the elders obtained testimony. By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3, WEB
Our question for this week comes out of the story from John’s Gospel about Nicodemus. When Jesus told him that he needed to be born again, Nicodemus answered, “How can a man be born when he is old?”
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He was a religious leader responsible for the spiritual health of God’s people. His work was to protect and teacher of Hebrew law and heritage. He was a well-respected member of the community with a position of authority who was regarded as one of the most upright, righteous, and moral men in the city. The religious leaders did not see Jesus as someone worthy of the time. He was just another false messiah, a radical who needed to be stopped. Instead of listening to Jesus, they schemed to destroy Him.
Despite his prestige, position, power, and popularity, Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus. He knew there was something to what Jesus was preaching, but he didn’t understand it. He knew Jesus came from God, confessed that He could not do the miracles without the blessing of God. He was curious, but he was also afraid. Would his interest affect his life? Would he become a target of the scheming of his fellow leaders? This is the explanation we often give about why Nicodemus visited Jesus at night. We suspect that he wanted to sneak a meeting under the radar of others.
I wonder how many people struggle with believing in Jesus because they are afraid of what others around them would think. Do they hide their interest so they won’t be a target of those who reject God?
Yet, there are other reasons Nicodemus might have gone to Jesus at night. Jesus was constantly surrounded by crowds of people. It would have been difficult to have a conversation with Him, so perhaps he wanted to find Jesus in a quiet moment alone. Jesus was busy, but Nicodemus would have been, too. As a member of the city leadership, he may not have had time to follow Jesus as one of the crowds. Did he stop by to see Jesus on his way home from work?
What is the reason why so many people do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Are they afraid? Do they wait until a better time? Are they too busy to pay attention?
If anyone knew God’s word it would be a man like Nicodemus. Yet, he understood God only from the perspective of law and tradition, not from grace. He knew only the things of flesh, not spirit. So, Jesus pointed back to a story Nicodemus would have known very well to show how God would give a sign to His people. Moses’ snake was just a type. The Savior would be lifted, too. Jesus was referring to Himself; He would be lifted on the cross and those who look to Him will have eternal life.
Today’s question is similar to others asked by people in the Bible: “How can this be?” Zacharias asked when the angel told him that his elderly wife would bear a son. Mary asked when the angel told her she would bear God’s Son. John asked it of Jesus at His baptism. The disciples on the road to Emmaus asked it of themselves when they realized that hadn’t recognized Jesus. The Psalms ask it over and over again. These questions are asked with different attitudes. Zacharias was doubtful. Mary wanted information. John knew he was unworthy to do what Jesus asked. The disciples were ashamed that they missed Him. The psalmist asks for many reasons: in praise, lament, thanksgiving, frustration, and so much more.
So do we. “How can this be?” we ask about the things of faith. There is so much that is mysterious, so much that is unexplainable about Christianity. There are so many questions we ask that can’t really be answered. How can a virgin give birth? How can God die on a cross? How can the bread and wine be the body and blood of Jesus? How can the Holy Spirit transform us? How can we have faith in something we do not see? How can God be real when there is so much that seems to prove He is not? How can we believe something that is so unbelievable? How can a man be born again? Just like the characters is God’s story, we are doubtful, curious, unworthy, ashamed. We cry out in praise, lament, thanksgiving, frustration, and so much more.
How can this be? Whatever our attitude, Jesus calls us to look at the world through the eyes of faith. We may be afraid. We may want to wait for a better time. We may think we are just too busy. It is good that we ask the questions, to try to understand, but Jesus reminds us that some things are meant to be believed not by reason but by faith. He transforms us. He fills us with His Word. He gives us the very faith we need to believe. He is worthy of our interest and our time because He is the Lord our Savior, and He grants us abundant life now and forever by His grace.
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