Whats the difference?
Just as science and scientists all over this planet have
been challenged to reconsider intelligent design over evolution, so Religions
all over this word are challenged to rethink much of their doctrine and dogma
which is: the explication and officially
acceptable version of a religious teaching.
And it began for a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus in chapter 3 of
John’s gospel. How do you think people
decide what is truth and what is false today? The leaders of a group would
gather, a subject was discussed over a period of time. After a vote was taken and if a majority was
struck, then the truth was known.
John 3: 1-17
A popular sports television program of the 1970’s and
1980’s called "The Wide World of Sports" illustrated "the agony of defeat"
with a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. The skier appeared in good form
as he headed down the jump, but then, for no apparent reason, he tumbled head
over heels off the side of the jump, bouncing off the supporting structure down
to the snow below.
What viewers didn't know was that he actually chose to purposely fall rather than finish the jump. Why you might ask? As he explained later, the jump surface had become too fast, and midway down the ramp, he realized if he completed the jump, he would land on the level ground, beyond the safe sloping landing area, which could have been fatal for him. Surprisingly, the skier suffered no more than a headache from the tumble. To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful undertaking, but as the story illustrates change is better than a fatal landing at the end of one’s life.
This is the problem Nicodemus is having. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he is facing a fatal landing if he does not change or at least challenge his understanding of the ways of the Pharisee. But Nicodemus knows only one way and that has been programmed into his life, and for him it is the way of a Pharisee, not the way of Christ. Right at the very beginning of his teaching Jesus lays out a challenge for us as well. What way have we been programmed with? Are you a follower of Christ, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Seven Day, Baptist, Presbyterian or Pentecostal, United or another religion.
Have you ever considered that all you have been taught might not be true when it comes to your parents, or the theological position of your religious group, the one you were brought up with or the denomination you are presently attending? Have you ever wondered how humans began to decide the truth about anything? The leaders of a group would gather, a subject was discussed over a period of time. After a vote was taken and if a majority was struck, then the truth was known. Doesn’t that sound much like what is still happening today. Yet we Christians read in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
What viewers didn't know was that he actually chose to purposely fall rather than finish the jump. Why you might ask? As he explained later, the jump surface had become too fast, and midway down the ramp, he realized if he completed the jump, he would land on the level ground, beyond the safe sloping landing area, which could have been fatal for him. Surprisingly, the skier suffered no more than a headache from the tumble. To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful undertaking, but as the story illustrates change is better than a fatal landing at the end of one’s life.
This is the problem Nicodemus is having. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he is facing a fatal landing if he does not change or at least challenge his understanding of the ways of the Pharisee. But Nicodemus knows only one way and that has been programmed into his life, and for him it is the way of a Pharisee, not the way of Christ. Right at the very beginning of his teaching Jesus lays out a challenge for us as well. What way have we been programmed with? Are you a follower of Christ, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Seven Day, Baptist, Presbyterian or Pentecostal, United or another religion.
Have you ever considered that all you have been taught might not be true when it comes to your parents, or the theological position of your religious group, the one you were brought up with or the denomination you are presently attending? Have you ever wondered how humans began to decide the truth about anything? The leaders of a group would gather, a subject was discussed over a period of time. After a vote was taken and if a majority was struck, then the truth was known. Doesn’t that sound much like what is still happening today. Yet we Christians read in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Suddenly Jesus appears on the scene and begins teaching
that the Kingdom of God has come near and is at hand, not up in the clouds but
right here, it is in their midst right now. Mark 1: 15. "The time has come," he said.
"The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"
But to see the kingdom and enter in, one must
have their eyes and mind reopened with a rebirth, you must be born anew Jesus
tells Nicodemus. Being born of Spirit you will begin to see
things differently, hear things differently, and begin doing things in your
life in new ways. Nicodemus hears the
words born again, but he is confused. So he asks, "How can a person go
back into his mother's womb and come out again?"
It shouldn’t be surprising to us that Nicodemus is so confused. For many today yes even the very religious are still confused and unable to answer with the mind of God. We can only speak of what we know. One might think that a religious leader should understand these teachings but somehow Nicodemus a religious leader and teacher feels he has missed some crucial truth, a truth that cannot be discovered by a majority vote. The question we need to ask ourselves today is, do you feel that you have missed some crucial truth, that you too, have not yet experienced being born anew?
It shouldn’t be surprising to us that Nicodemus is so confused. For many today yes even the very religious are still confused and unable to answer with the mind of God. We can only speak of what we know. One might think that a religious leader should understand these teachings but somehow Nicodemus a religious leader and teacher feels he has missed some crucial truth, a truth that cannot be discovered by a majority vote. The question we need to ask ourselves today is, do you feel that you have missed some crucial truth, that you too, have not yet experienced being born anew?
There is a reason
Nicodemus is going to Jesus. He has an inkling that Jesus might be able to
provide that missing important detail and He does. You see the key ingredient to entering the
new earth, the kingdom of God as Jesus puts it, is, Jesus himself. You
cannot be born again unless you accept the change Jesus offers when you take
him into your being. He is the only one
who has this transforming God given power to do this work. Taking Christ literally into your life means,
allowing his teachings to guide and direct what you say and what you do. This would be a new life for many congregants
and ministers too. With Christ guiding
your daily life, you become a citizen of the Kingdom of God, yes, heaven is
right here and right know. Being born again makes us like children again. We
must learn to walk, speak and function all over again. As you
take him in, Jesus begin to shoulder your burdens Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.
He begins to takes away your anger, your fear, your anxiety, and your wanting
of the things of this world and changes you gradually to become more humble,
more generous, more compassionate, more understanding and less judgmental towards
the other. It is not an instance fix for
anyone because you must learn and grow in this new relationship with Christ not
just in words, but in truth, and in your action.
Nicodemus has somehow been programed in the wrong direction
and now he must change his course. Maybe
you feel the same and are as hesitant today, as Nicodemus was when he
encountered Jesus personally for the first time. Are you uncertain about making such a drastic
change in your life? Jesus is calling,
“Calling Oh Sinner Come Home” to each and every one of us here today come home,
come home he who are weary come home.
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