Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Sunday, January 26, 2014 Read John 3:1-10 As we begin reading this story it is important that we recognize the deep symbolism imbedded within it. It may be surprising to hear that Nicodemus, though he is a leader of the Jews, comes to see Jesus. For the most part Jewish leaders do not come off very well in the gospel stories. So already we might be aware that there is something peculiar about Nicodemus. It is important that John tells us that Nicodemus comes by night for two reasons. First is the obvious reason, Nicodemus does not want to be seen. John is aware of believers in Jesus who want to remain secret in their belief. Perhaps there were believers within John’s community at the time of the completion of his gospel who also wanted to remain secret believers. Perhaps we are sometimes like that too. John is tolerant of such secret believers but he is also critical of them. The second reason why it is important to realize that Nicodemus comes by night is more subtle and symbolic. Night stands for darkness. Nicodemus comes from the darkness. Whenever we hear of darkness we can know that John wants us to recognize the danger involved. Remember in the beginning of his gospel, in the Prologue we hear that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Nicodemus is symbolically associated with the darkness as opposed to the light. Nicodemus has witnessed the signs that Jesus has done. Those signs have had some effect upon Nicodemus, but is their effect sufficient? Nicodemus recognizes that the presence of God must be somehow with Jesus. But will he truly perceive that in Jesus the very being of God is present? At this point in the narrative we are introduced to a way of speaking by Jesus that John uses to signal great emphasis – Jesus says “Very truly…” – in Greek the words are “Amen. Amen.” When we hear these words we need to perk up or ears and listen for something critically important is about to be said. Also at this point we are introduced to a technique that will repeat itself over and over again in John’s gospel. John will use a word that has a double meaning and thus Jesus will speak on one level and those with whom Jesus speaks will understand on another level. The word with a double meaning in this encounter is the word which is translated “from above” which can also be translated “again.” Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born from above. Nicodemus misunderstands and thinks that Jesus is telling him that he must be born again. Nicodemus makes the ridiculous suggestion that Jesus has said that he must enter into his mother’s womb a second time. This leads Jesus to expand on his meaning. Being a part of God’s kingdom does not come through natural birth – birth through water – but by God’s action – the work of the Spirit. Nicodemus is floundering by this point. Jesus is speaking on one level and Nicodemus is understanding on another. They are like ships passing in the night. At this point another word with a double meaning is used. The word “wind” can also mean “spirit.” Jesus says the “wind/spirit” blows where it wills and we can hear the sound of it but we can’t see it – just so it is for those who are born of the “wind/spirit.” When Jesus says “Spirit” Nicodemus hears “wind” and in frustration he asks, “How can this be?” Nicodemus never gets on the same level as Jesus because he is unable to understand that Jesus is “from above.” Nicodemus is an example of insufficient faith and insufficient understanding. We can only truly understand Jesus when we come to realize that his origin is “from above” and not of this world. Nicodemus cannot make this move. And so he remains in the darkness – at least for a time. We will meet Nicodemus again in John’s gospel. We have to see what happens to him. At this point Nicodemus drops out of the story and as readers we suddenly realize that Jesus is now speaking to us – or is it the narrator who is speaking. Just who is speaking blends together in the following verses. An important question for us to ponder at this point is this: What does it mean to be born from above? What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? At this point our answer will perhaps be somewhat fuzzy. But this much is clear – being born from above is to have been acted upon by God. Being born from above is not something we can accomplish. Being born from above is to be brought up to the level of Jesus who is from above. Being born from above is what God is working within those who hear – it is the intention of Jesus for us. It is finally something we can only receive as a gift of the Spirit. Nicodemus plays the role in this story of one who is at least open to the gift of the Spirit – but he is unable to move from the trap of his own level of understanding to the level of Jesus. There is hope for Nicodemus.