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1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:1-17 NIV)
Prayers for my nephew Alex Valverde and his familly as they are in preparation for ministry in Mexico. For now, they are safe in a southern state away from the violence but the days are drawing near for them to move to where the violence is taking place. May the Lord cover Alex, wife Mykelia, children: David, Ezra and Natalia with His preicous blood and keep them safe as well as those on their ministry team who are already in the state where harm is present and threatening. Prayers also for Ms. Donna Dobbs, who undergoes cataract surgery today in Houston. Donna is the sister of a dear colleague and friend, Rev. Michael Dobbs, and a former classmate of mine from Lon Morris College.
Great joy was ours as we watched the confirmands at First Methodist Church and we saw the joy on each and especially on our pastor as he welcomed them into full membership of the Church. He also expressed great faith in the future of the Church as seen in these young people's faith. And in today's passage we see hope, albeit expressed in fear, about what God was about do do among and through, and yes, very much in spite of some, like the Pharisees, with God's Church. One of the leaders, a Pharisee himself, Nicodemus, believed that maybe, just maybe, Jesus was who He said He was. He wants to ask Him, but fears doing it during business hours. Imagine the impact such a daylight meeting might have on his career and life? The Pharisees were a rabid bunch; they would not suffer fools, such as Nic might be seen for asking Jesus who He was. But notice again what Nic said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God." Stop. Imagine being fully a company man who hears a co-worker doubt the company? Nic was smart enough to know that sharing such a statement to Jesus might end his career and his life, like immediately! We wonder, who did Nic include in the "we" part of his statement? Were there other Pharisees who might have thought Jesus was on the level? His second part says a lot as well; "For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him." We do know that Jesus was a daily topic of discussion among the Pharisees, and Scribes, Herodians, Sadducees, and others. Jesus had done and said so much that He had many thinking and talking about Who He really was. Can we truly say that Nic was a believer? Maybe not at the point, but we know that after Jesus' death and resurrection, Nic is shown as being among those who were believers in the Lord and His ministry.
Jesus' response to Nicodemus sets in motion much for Jesus says that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Being born again since that first time it was uttered has meant a lot to some and seen as being necessary as Jesus said, for to fully understand the spiritual aspects of faith, we must be born again or anew, in a spiritual sense. Nic is dumbfounded by such a declaration, but Jesus says all should be born of water and the spirit. And caps off this discussion with the sharing of what may be the most recognized verse of all time, the 16th verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Lent is our season of coming to Jesus at night. It is the time when we set aside our pretenses and our public faces and sit, honestly, with the questions we haven't dared to ask out loud. Where am I still clinging to the darkness? What old self do I need to release so that something new can be born?
PRAYER: Loving God, during this time of Lent many of us may feel we are walking in the dark, but we see this is perfect to be honest as we talk with You. Speak to our doubts and fears, and remind us of what we may gain as we complete the 40 days of prayer and fasting. Bring us the fullness of life we need; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time as you awaken each morning to share with the Lord something that is troubling you. Speak honestly to Him and then listen. Write down what comes to mind as you earnestly pray and listen.
I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God and you matter to me. Be the light to someone in the dark.
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
