John 3: 1-21 - Curiosity is Critical

In four days, we take our oldest daughter, Reia, to college. Such an exciting and emotional time...it feels like yesterday she was born. I remember her birth vividly, we opted not to find out her gender, so there was so much excitement and anticipation upon her birth. When I found out we had a little girl, my heart melted. Reia was born, and our lives were never to be the same again. Now college. Wow, time flys. 

Not much connection with that, and today's reading...except my daughter going to college is just about all that is on my mind. So, remembering her birth came to mind when Jesus replied to Nicodemus;

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This statement made no sense to Nicodemus; he was confused. Let’s step back for a moment and inspect who this Nicodemus was. 

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

(Guzik wrote) Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Nicodemus was one of those impressed by Jesus’ signs (John 2:23), and a member of the ruling Sanhedrin. He was religious (of the Pharisees), educated (Nicodemus is a Greek name), influential (a ruler), and earnest enough to come by night. Nicodemus came to Jesus as a representative of all men (John 2:23-25), and in a sense, he represented what is highest and best in men.

So, Nicodemus was not just the average dude; this was a significant religious leader, highly educated, wicked smart, and also representative of all men. Early in the story, here we learn he came by night, and I thought that was really interesting. Not sure why, not sure precisely what Guzik was referring to by being earnest enough to come by night. My take on this would be coming by night gave Nicodemus some cover, he would not have been seen by others and staying out of view. 

Just thinking more about this coming by night...it takes my mind down a path of curiosity. We have a religious Pharisee, a highly educated and ruling member of the Jewish council who is hearing about this Jesus guy. Everything he is hearing is counter to his beliefs and teachings, but he is curious, something is unique and different about Jesus. He was curious and wanted to learn more. 

Nicodemus also throws out a line that was not actually true, for now one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him. We actually know in this time there were many false prophets and teachers that were performing signs, we read this in Thes and Rev. So, Nicodemus is just trying to get a little closer, and see what he can find out, he was curious. 

I am going to camp here for a moment. Where are you with your curiosity? Are you still curious about God? No matter where you are in your walk, are you still curious about what is possible, how God can work, what He is up to, and what else he can reveal to you? This interaction with Jesus we are reading about here leads me to believe that curiosity about Jesus is a critical part of our walk with Christ. The creator of the universe will not be completely understood in our lifetime, and we have so much to learn and also unlearn in our walk with him...let’s see where Nicodemus curiosity leads him.

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” “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!”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am sure you know this story, I have read it as well many, many times. I just find it so interesting how Jesus responds to people, he so rarely answers the question they ask. We should be curious about this. Reading this full interaction, I have an infinite amount of questions. Right now, as I am reading, the unlearning part as well...I am trying to no bring in baggage that I might also be carrying into this story - things that are not actually in the text. 

Nicodemus is looking for an earthly response, and Jesus gives him the heavenly response. 

““You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 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. I have spoken to you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus is driving home his point to this religious leader. Hammering home the beliefs and the traditions that were common in the Jewish teachings at the time. Going back to the born again comment...what is this important. This is critical because, at the time, it was taught widely among the Jews that since they descended from Abraham, they were automatically assured of heaven.

Jesus needed Nicodemus to see the bigger picture, to recognize the life he was missing, and the life that was afforded to him with this new revelation. Nicodemus was curious, and this lead to a new way of seeing, new light new ways brought by the Light of the word. 

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Nicodemus' curiosity brought him a new revelation and a new enlightening. A big part for me in reading this is recognizing again and again that this enlightening and revelation is not just a one time deal. Jesus has so much for us, so much life and love to offer. This relationship we have with our creator God is way more than a single transaction of a hand raised or a prayer prayed; it is a life journey of walking with Jesus and believing in him over and over again. But what holds us back, what is getting in the way of this curiosity, this walking with Jesus?

“Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us not live in fear of our deeds and our shortcomings. Let us not allow the feeling of being exposed impact our curiosity and our approaching Jesus. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord, let us be curious about you and towards you. Lord, I want to know you more, love you more, and feel your presence more. Lord, keep my fear of being exposed to a minimum and guide me in all of my ways today. I desire to be reborn continually and regularly discover new attributes about your heavenly things. Amen