There’s a Jamaican saying, ‘nearer to church and further from God’, which speaks to a lack of depth in some believers’ relationship with God. Today’s Holy Nougat reminds us that it can happen to anyone.
“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”” John 3:1-2 NLT
As a priest and member of the Sanhedrin, he was aptly named, Nicodemus means ‘people’s victory’. Being a religious leader under Roman rule necessitated political aptitude as Pax Romana was no joke. For all his leadership, Nicodemus was seeking spiritual clarity.
Hear him tell Jesus that he had questions. Questions that seemed to have baffled his religious colleagues also. He began with confession, but it is a confession that shows the extent of their faith. He and his colleagues had a conversation. And, at day’s end, long after Jewish ceremonial responsibilities were dispensed with, Nicodemus went to the Source of His queries. What strikes me at this reading was the fact that he spoke on behalf of himself and his colleagues. When it was put before me, I was obliged to ponder as I had not noticed it previously.
Could it be that Nicodemus was not so much seeking answers for himself as he was sent by the team? In that case, was he taking notes to prove Jesus was a charlatan or was there a Jesus-follower sect among the Jewish leaders? Could there have been a remnant of GodChasers kinda like the Humanists that preempted the Reformation?
These people believed Jesus was a prophet sent by God, they just hadn’t fully made it to the final outcome. That Jesus was the Son of God, the expected Messiah. Siblings, I really don’t know how they missed it. John got his confirmation from God’s Spirit, were they not as in tune?
To their credit, they sought answers. Or at least Nicodemus did. And while it seemed to have no impact, his outlook shifted. We are here in this moment, perhaps needing similar answers. Will we visit the Source for ourselves, engaging Him in earnest conversation as Nicodemus did? Will we send others to research and report, or do we continue along as if it’s business as usual?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
