Monday, April 16 2007Readings: Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8
For the first time since Palm Sunday our gospel readings return to events in the life of Jesus before he went to Jerusalem to be crucified. We’ve read and heard these stories many times. But I find that no matter how many times I read the same gospel stories, if I look for ideas I may have missed before, I find something.
For instance: We’re told that ‘Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, came to Jesus at night.” Why did John mention it was at night? Why not just write there was a visit? I guess because it did happen at night. The chief priests wanted Jesus arrested and killed; it was dangerous for anybody, even for members of the Sanhedrin to be seen with Jesus. Nicodemus had to work it out so he could see Jesus without getting himself kicked out of the Sanhedrin. So he worked it out to see Jesus in the darkness of night. You already knew that, didn’t you? Try this thought:
Night gives us a picture of darkness. Nicodemus not only visited Jesus in the darkness of night, but his mind was also in darkness about who Jesus really was and about his teachings. Jesus enlightened him. Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson, a lesson about being born again of water and the spirit, about the necessity of baptism and giving our hearts fully to God.
We’re always in darkness when it comes to things Jesus taught. When we visit him in thought and prayer, whether in daylight or at night, there’s always something Jesus can enlighten our minds about. I hope you don’t have to be sneaky like Nicodemus when you visit Jesus, but whether you have to or not, don’t worry about it. It’s the visit that counts. Jesus wants to tell you something new.
For instance: We’re told that ‘Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, came to Jesus at night.” Why did John mention it was at night? Why not just write there was a visit? I guess because it did happen at night. The chief priests wanted Jesus arrested and killed; it was dangerous for anybody, even for members of the Sanhedrin to be seen with Jesus. Nicodemus had to work it out so he could see Jesus without getting himself kicked out of the Sanhedrin. So he worked it out to see Jesus in the darkness of night. You already knew that, didn’t you? Try this thought:
Night gives us a picture of darkness. Nicodemus not only visited Jesus in the darkness of night, but his mind was also in darkness about who Jesus really was and about his teachings. Jesus enlightened him. Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson, a lesson about being born again of water and the spirit, about the necessity of baptism and giving our hearts fully to God.
We’re always in darkness when it comes to things Jesus taught. When we visit him in thought and prayer, whether in daylight or at night, there’s always something Jesus can enlighten our minds about. I hope you don’t have to be sneaky like Nicodemus when you visit Jesus, but whether you have to or not, don’t worry about it. It’s the visit that counts. Jesus wants to tell you something new.
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