A New Identity (long, but worth it)

Jesus had an uncanny knack for cutting through "small talk."

Nicdemus, an important member of the religious ruling class, came to Jesus late one night. Was he afraid to be seen with Jesus? Did he want to avoid the crowds? We don't know for sure. But when he began his conversation with a few polite remarks, Jesus cut right to the chase. His statement in St. John 3:3 can be loosely paraphrased, "Nicodemus, you're right about my spiritual position, but you're dead wrong about yours."

Jesus knew that Nicodemus didn't need a lot of tact- he needed truth.

Nicodemus's robes, his title, and his degrees impressed everyone in his religious circle. But Jesus saw right through those outer trappings. He knew that a human heart beat under all that finery- a struggling heart that was tired of carrying the weight, the responsibilities and the endless need to appear "in control" of his religious condition. So before Nicodemus could even formulate his question. Jesus gave the answer, telling him in effect, "What you need is a new start, Nicodemus. It's not too late."

If you, like Nicodemus, are counting on your accomplishments to lead to some sort of ultimate fulfillment or spiritual security, Jesus says the same thing to you.

Accomplishments can't be joy. Titles have no feelings. Degrees don't laugh. Even religion can get in the way of knowing God, because religion is mostly what we do. That's what was happening to Nicodemus, and what Jesus tried to address in their conversation. Life with God means becoming a "faith-follower" and "faithful follower," not trying to be a "do-gooder." Jesus knew that Nicodemus, a religious leader and teacher, didn't understand this basic truth.

Nicodemus needed to make a break with his religiously legalistic past, and to make a new spiritual start in his life, one that centered on a relationship with God based on truth and grace. Jesus called this new start being "born again."

Then Jesus made mention of something that happened centuries before, in Moses' day (verse. 14, from Numbers 21:4-9). When a plague of poisonous snakes killed many Israelites, Moses followed God's command to make a bronze snake and attach it to a pole. People who had been bitten didn't have to pray, go to the temple, try to drain the poison, or do any kind of "religious" act. They were simply told to take God at his word, look at the snake, and believe. Those who did were miraculously healed. Those who didn't died. (By the way, this biblical event is the origin of the snake on the pole in medical insignias.) By using this well-known story as a metaphor for his own crucifixion, Jesus knew that Nicodemus would get the point- God sent Jesus to earth so that people could believe in Him, trust Him, and have eternal life.

He further explained this principle in St. John 3:16-17, one of the most famous verses in the Bible. These verses contain the greatest message, from the greatest source, describing the greatest love, demonstrated by the greatest sacrifice ever given. It contains important news for everyone, especially those who think they have to "be religious" to get God's approval.

The bad new is that we can't do enough to gain God's approval. The good news is that God has already done it on our behalf.

What would prevent you from accepting Jesus' invitation to Nicodemus? Being born again isn't complicated. Simply agree with Jesus that you have a spiritual need that you'll never be able to fill through your own efforts. Then recognize that Jesus didn't come to condemn you, but to pay for your sins, forgive you, and to begin to remake you from the inside. Finally, come to Him as your rescuer and leader and ask Him to do what he said he was dying to do- give you eternal life. This is not a cheap gift; Jesus gave His very lifeblood to obtain it. But it is a free gift. And it's yours for the asking.

Note: Later in Jesus' ministry, Nicodemus defended Jesus when the religious leaders of his day condemned him unfairly (St. John 7:50-51). Nicodemus also showed up at Jesus' death, where he and another influential leader, Joseph of Arimathea, prepared Jesus' body for burial (St. John 19:38-42). Beyond that, we don't know anything about Nicodemus or his response to Jesus' invitation.

But God does.

-modified from The Journey

I love you all.