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February 17, 2008 - 2nd Sunday in Lent
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night
and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one
can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him,
"Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a
second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you,
no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born
of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that
I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you
hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is
with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
-- John 3:1-8
Nicodemus is drawn to Jesus and yet he comes to him in the cloak of darkness.
He seemed certain that Jesus was from God, yet Jesus did not seem to fit Nicodemus'
expectations of what such a man would be like. Nicodemus' confusion seems to grow deeper
with Jesus' image of being born again.
We do not know if Nicodemus ever really understood Jesus, but we do know that he
continued to follow him. It was Nicodemus who defended Jesus before the religious council
that wanted to arrest him early in his ministry (John 7:51) and it was Nicodemus who
accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to anoint and bury Jesus' body after he was crucified
(John 19:39).
Martin Luther teaches us that in the waters of baptism we are born again, and each day
is a new day in Christ. We may never really understand Jesus and what he is about,
(after all, the Spirit blows where it chooses) but it is our duty to follow Jesus all the
way to his cross and empty tomb. It is our joy to follow Christ all the way to our death
and empty grave.
Where do you long to experience new life this day?
We pray: O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us
to new birth to live as your children. We pray for your Spirit to blow new life in the
dead places in our lives and in the world. Strengthen our faith in your promises, that by
your Spirit we may lift up your life to all the world through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen
Lessons for the 2nd Sunday in Lent:
- Psalm 121
- Genesis 12:1-4a
- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
- John 3:1-17
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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