LIFTED UP
a sermon based on John 3:1-17
by Rev. Rick Thompson

     Nicodemus was a curious fellow.  He had heard about the signs Jesus was doing–like turning water into wine, and cleansing the Temple.  He had watched as many flocked to Jesus, to hear Jesus teach, to watch and see if he would do another sign–hoping, perhaps, that Jesus’ next miracle would be done for them!

      Many were believing in Jesus because of these signs.  Nicodemus was feeling attracted to Jesus, too.  He wanted to know more about Jesus.

     Nicodemus wanted to see for himself.  So, he went to visit Jesus.  He went to Jesus at night, hoping Jesus could show him the light of day. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do the things that you do apart from the presence of God.”  Implied in that statement is a challenge: “What are you up to, Jesus?  Help me to see!”

      And Jesus responds, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

     Nicodemus just doesn’t get it.  That’s actually understandable, because the word Jesus uses can actually mean both “from above” and “again.”  Jesus meant one thing, and Nicodemus heard the other.  So, puzzled, he asks, “How can a person be born again?”  Nicodemus understood biology, after all!

     Jesus explains.  He is clearly talking about a different kind of birth than human birth.  He is talking about a new birth of the spirit, one that only God can accomplish.  No earthly power can do what God can do.  Only God can give us new life; only God can transform us into people of faith and children of God; only God can give us second birth!  God’s Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it wishes, and when the Spirit blows into our lives, we are transformed into beloved children. 

     Now Nicodemus is completely baffled.  He just doesn’t get what Jesus is talking about, just doesn’t see.  He is stuck at the earthly level, trying to understand God as he would try to understand everyday human life.  But God won’t be understood in that way. 

     And finally Nicodemus, who seemed so confident when he first approached Jesus, is reducing to a stumbling, stammering fool.  All he can do is mutter, “How can these things be?”

      Nicodemus just doesn’t see.

      And neither, sometimes, do we. [continue]