John 3:7-13
From Monday to Wednesday of this week the Gospel texts come from the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus in Chapter 3 of John’s Gospel. When we enter the world of John’s Gospel we enter a special world. There are broad themes of life, light, love and glory, there are words and images that signify particular ideas and rhetorical devices which can guide the reader.
In Monday’s section John 3:1-8 we learn that Nicodemus ‘came to Jesus by night’. Darkness and night symbolize untruth and lack of knowledge. Nicodemus is confused and he is seeking. Jesus is speaking of the Kingdom of God and of how entry into it requires becoming a child of God. Nicodemus is firmly fixed in the earthly realm and can’t understand what Jesus says.
Today we hear:
‘You must be born from above.
The wind blows wherever it pleases;
you hear its sound,
but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’
Jesus honours Nicodemus’ questions but with each reply he adds another level of theological depth. Nicodemus is being challenged to recognize Jesus as the new teacher. There is in built confusion as the word ‘above’ can also mean ‘anew’ and ‘again’.
From our vantage point of Eastertide when we hear this passage the themes of new birth and the Spirit are perhaps uppermost in our thoughts. There’s no confusion for us. We might also hear the passage with some baptismal resonance. While we might not share Nicodemus’ confusion, we can share in his desire to seek Jesus out and to ask the questions closest to his heart.
Imagine yourself going to Jesus by night. What would you most like to ask him?