Jesus Took Time to Look Past the Questions: RRE 41
Religion Ruins Everything Daily 10.21.16 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, 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 the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And 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.
John 3:1–15 ESV
Nicodemus goes out looking for an explanation from Jesus instead of looking to know Jesus. He had motives behind his search that made it hard for him to hear an answer. Jesus could tell that Nic needed some extra help to get to a point to listen, so Jesus spoke in some strong parables right off the bat.
Jesus continued to talk to Nicodemus in parables and prophecy. We don’t get it written here, and we don’t know how it happened, but somehow Jesus got through the questions. In John 19, Nicodemus shows up with 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial in the tomb. That was an expensive gift that was usually brought by the family, not an outsider. It is also significant that John says “the one that came to Jesus by night” to point out it was the same Nicodemus, and not someone else by the same name.
Patience and discernment will give the Holy Spirit a chance for you to see through people’s questions into what they really need to hear. For Nicodemus it was God’s mission, in Jesus, to save the world and not condemn it – the same mission that Jesus lives in us today.