05 Mar SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2023
Let’s do a little Bible study. Nicodemus is not mentioned in any other gospel, only the Book of John. In a scene later on, he’s referred to as a Pharisee who had “gone to Jesus before,” a great example of cross referencing. There, Nicodemus explains to temple police why the Pharisees, legal experts themselves, hadn’t arrested Jesus.
He’s quoted as saying, “Pharisaical law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing…” (John 7:50-51). He takes a stand using his position of authority to intercede and define justice. After Jesus’ death, Nicodemus is paired with Joseph of Arimathea who asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. Together, they carry, prepare, and bury Jesus with spices about twenty miles away.
Nicodemus and Joseph had both met with Jesus in secret. John names Joseph as a secret disciple of his for the same reason Nicodemus met with Jesus at night: fear of Jewish authorities. Which is funny, because they were Jewish authorities, but they didn’t fall into the category of those who oppose Jesus. As authorities, they did fear being totally honest and forthcoming about their personal beliefs. This same phenomenon comes into play with politicians, pastors, nurses, doctors, teachers, and other employees who won’t have a job if they don’t play by the rules.
Think of a time when you were asked (or told) to do something contrary to your personal beliefs: perhaps you had to sign along a dotted line swearing to follow orders without thinking; perhaps you had to witness what happened to someone else that damaged them without power to speak up; perhaps you had to participate in deciding the fate of another person with regard to their future, deny them of the opportunity to advance or work, at all. In almost every job I’ve ever held, this has been the case. Whether we’re the ones in charge of making decisions or not, someone else has authority over us. 
Nicodemus appears in John to show us that we must examine the positions we’re in. This figure shows up to help us realize that we too, are obligated to think about how we use the power or authority we possess. Nicodemus asks questions and speaks up to demonstrate that if we do believe what Jesus says, our ongoing role is to educate ourselves, to advocate, intervene and care about what happens.
This story is not only about baptism or being born from above, it is an ancient reminder of how the powers that be, and those in authority, will naturally aim to destroy the chance for everyone to experience what God wishes to be available for all: the chance to be born anew.
Anyone who experiences the esteem of a well known group with power naturally will fear making themselves vulnerable by expressing doubts.
But it is so hard to change course or oppose those in power. Anyone subject to the will of another as a dependent family member or employee, all of us have had to do something that went against what we believed was right. At the very least we had to keep working alongside others forced into submission or who were punished for challenging the status quo. No wonder it’s nearly impossible for politics to change. Anyone who experiences the esteem of a well known group with power naturally will fear making themselves vulnerable by expressing doubts.
So, like Nicodemus and Joseph, by day, they tow the party line. Privately, they may disagree. Overall, they may still share the group’s core commitments. But as prominent leaders, well-paid employees, or folks dependent on the benefits of the system, there’s just too much to lose to risk losing it all. What hope do we have of change then?
We heard how Jesus answered Nicodemus according to John 3. But prior to that conversation, John already described what being born from above or of God meant in chapter one, verses twelve through thirteen. “To all who receive him [the true light, the Word of God made flesh]…to all who believe in his name, he gives power to become children of God, who are born not of blood, the will of the flesh, or man, but of God.” Another great example of cross-referencing.
Anyone who owns a good study Bible can learn these things. Because the Greek word used to describe being born from above also can mean being born anew, it explains why Nicodemus got confused. Scholars figure Nicodemus interpreted the word that way and that’s why his response questions the impossibility of literal rebirth. Let’s look at where all the readings overlap with regard to God’s intent for humankind.
Through Abraham and persons like Nicodemus, all families of the earth would receive blessings, not as a result of keeping the law or enforcing it as legal experts. God would make the promise come true through committed individuals of faith. We are among those to whom God has entrusted to carry forth this promise. We, as God’s people, are to live in contrast to the human way of doing things.
Even God does not demand compliance or loyalty as a prerequisite to offering benefits. This week, the youth center taught me another valuable lesson. A group of kids known for regularly pushing boundaries gathered in what is considered privileged space: the only private room available for quiet. It contains a comfy couch, large table for doing homework, a window, and door. Almost no one does homework. Instead the space becomes a hangout, the door gets repeatedly closed when it shouldn’t and behavior is difficult to monitor.
Upon entering, the first thing I saw was a mess. Someone destroyed a full sleeve of Oreos by bursting the package upon the large table top. Knowing no one would take responsibility, I began to clean up the mess and look for other behaviors to accuse them of. 
They were sitting too close, even what could easily be considered on top of each other, two boys in particular. I told the one to move and he moved an inch or two, but argued back. I’d leave the door open and ajar and repeatedly find it closed. Finally, I told the director I thought the kids should get warnings or else be ejected from the room for not using the space as intended. She agreed and aimed to move them out into the larger room on couches once they were dry from the area being cleaned.
Rather than comply, the youth chose to leave. Unfortunately, that’s the way people are and God knows that. The lesson I learned (again), was that my default mode is to find fault and enforce the rules. When I receive push back, I push back harder. When not recognized as having authority or unable to regain control, I insist on exerting power. All the while, God is trying to teach me how to remain loyal and connected whether people obey or not. How does God do it???
I guess God can do it because God is the one who always models loyalty and staying connected whether people follow openly or in secret. Only one kid and one other who kept pushing the door closed were actually resisting. The others just went along with the rest. The only way God ever accomplishes anything is by helping people adapt, learn and persevere through times of failure and doubt. Rules are important, but they can never take the place of maintaining the relationship.
God gives people choices, just like those kids had a choice. They had mostly already gotten what they wanted, snacks and hot food after school, a place to chill and gather among friends, time to play on their phones without direct adult supervision. It was beautiful weather outside, so leaving was good, too. Maybe they learned something, maybe they didn’t. I told them we can’t have separate rules for some and not others. Truth is, I was just mad about the cookies being unappreciated and wasted.
Jesus didn’t waste time with Nicodemus. He didn’t question why he was only willing to come see him at night or why he didn’t leave the Pharisees and become a full-time disciple. He told him exactly what he needed to hear. Rarely do kids at the youth center need to hear how they break the rules. What they need is someone to interpret their behavior and what they say, hear their real need and discern their real request.
What they need is someone to interpret their behavior and what they say, hear their real need and discern their real request.
Oh, to be a blessing to all families of the earth, as God desires. Oh, to deliver the gift of being in ongoing healthy relationships. Oh, to be concerned less with the law and earning what is deserved as though God’s grace is payment for work we do. If you think about what a reward is, it is not a payment, it is simply acknowledgement of what’s already been done. A reward is proof that a person willingly chose to get involved rather than look the other way because they were afraid to be identified with someone labeled as problematic to society.
Think about it. There is a way to move in the direction of what God asks of you even when you’re not ready to completely change your way of being or identity. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea demonstrate how.
Start by examining the position you’re in. Realize that you are obligated to think about how you use the power or authority you possess. Ask questions, learn and speak up. Because if you believe what Jesus says, like they did, your ongoing role is to educate yourself, advocate, intervene and care about what happens.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn, but so that the world might be saved through him, [that all families may be blessed].”
Let us pray…
Jesus, help us to acknowledge your authority over us because you are the God who brought us into being. No one is born apart from your will or without power from above. May your kingdom come through grace and faith alone, not under threat of law or loss of privilege. Bless every family, especially those whose needs go unheard or remain unmet. Let us never hinder your plan to love and include all children in your kingdom. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.