Lent 2: Born of the Spirit

The lectionary Gospel scriptures for the season of Lent are all about encounters -- Jesus having surprising encounters with people who are transformed because of it, and who become – overtly or covertly – his disciples. Sunday’s lectionary passage tells us of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who visits Jesus late at night. The passage lends itself well to dramatic images – Nicodemus stealing silently down a dark street, a single candle burning in a window, a gentle but firm knock on a door, a welcome from Jesus on the other side, and an invitation to sit at a rustic table…

And then a heartfelt conversation – about being born of the Spirit, about earthly things and heavenly things, about eternal life, about salvation… We don’t know how Nicodemus left. We don’t know if he scurried back down the street or held his head high, but we do know that when Jesus was brought before the authorities later that Nicodemus stood up for him, and we do know that when Jesus died, Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ body, a hundred pounds. Something happened that night.  

So, this Sunday, we ponder the story of Nicodemus and wonder what it might tell us of our own discipleship. Is it necessary to be born of the Spirit, and what does that mean, really? Or, a better question, how does it feel?

Many thanks to all who attended our annual general meeting last week. The meeting was really positive and included lots of gratitude, hope and goodwill. I continue to be honoured and humbled to do this work with all of you.

To prepare for Sunday, read John 3:1-17 and ponder the following:

1.      We so often see the passage of John 3:16 (For God so loved the world . . .” on its own. Does the meaning of this statement change when encountered in context?

2.      Why do you think Nicodemus went to see Jesus? Can you write a few lines in Nicodemus’ voice explaining his reasons?

Image: “Born Again,” Lauren Wright Pittman, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.