Questions

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is probably the most familiar and most often quoted. The two characters are Nicodemus and Jesus.

Nicodemus had questions and he probably expected answers. He was an important man in the community. A good man. A ruler of the Jews, a teacher of some stature, one who should know the truth about God and his people. John 19 would have us believe he was a man of wealth, too, joining Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus for burial. No doubt he had heard about Jesus from some of his students who had heard Jesus. I suppose he could have felt threatened by this new teacher in the community, but I don't think he did. He thought he could learn something. So he went. I admire that.

On the other hand, there is a troubling fact about him. He came to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Sort of sneaked around to pose some important questions to Jesus. I guess, even though he was a good man, a wise man, he was not a brave man. It wouldn't be smart to be seen talking alone to this Nazarene trouble maker. Guilt by association, you know. Later, didn't Peter face that same problem? "You're one of them," the woman at the fire would say. Peter was afraid. So afraid, he denied his association with Jesus, not once but three times, and with a curse, at that. Yeah, being seen with Jesus could be risky. So after dark, Nicodemus makes his way to Jesus.

I wonder what Nicodemus was planning to ask Jesus? Here's how he begins: "Teachers, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Having said, in effect, "You are someone who can teach me something, " Nicodemus is preparing to ask Jesus something. But he doesn't get to. Before he can say a word, Jesus speaks, almost certainly answering nothing Nicodemus wanted to ask. But apparently it was something Jesus felt he should hear. Even so, he didn't understand and asks for clarification. Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." You know the whole story: this is John 3:16 and the follow up.

But here’s what I wonder: what was Nicodemus going to ask? If you had the chance, what would you ask Jesus?

Peace,

Jerry+