The Midnight Meeting

The midnight meeting. It seems so…inappropriate, so unacceptable. But in truth, a daytime meeting of this nature would have raised more concern.

Last weekend, as our series on John continued, we learned about a meeting between Jesus and a very significant religious leader of the time named Nicodemus. A meeting that would change the course of this leader’s life, of the life he knew as just and holy.

Nicodemus had major clout. He was part of the Sanhedrin, an elite group of individuals who lead the Pharisees. Think of the Vice President: he’s a pretty big deal – aside from being an advocate for public policy and presiding over the senate, the VP never has to wait for reservations at restaurants and he gets dibs on the Oval Office in the event the President is unable to fulfill his duties.  However, at the end of the day he is still influenced by the President. While this comparison lacks all things accurate in relation to the religious order of Jesus’ time, Nicodemus can be thought of as part of the Presidential society.

So what was the big deal about this meeting? Nicodemus, religious leader of religious leaders, sought counsel from Jesus. While he was deeply rooted in his teachings and ritualistic practices, there were still some aspects of the miraculous signs that perplexed him. From his studies, he was supposed to know everything, so to seek counsel from someone else was major. Jesus responded to his inquiries in John 3:5-6 saying: “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

All of Nicodemus’ confidence must have been shattered when he realized that his continuous efforts to lead a perfect holy life were futile if he had not been reborn in the Spirit. Pastor White effectively described this concept by explaining that “just as a physical life needs physical birth, to have a spiritual life you need a spiritual birth.” In other words, while you have to be born into the world to enjoy life in the world, you must be born in the spirit to enjoy life in the spirit.

Teachings state that it does not matter how many ritualistic practices we take part in, if we are not spiritually reborn all our efforts count for nothing. This concept may be confusing, especially with human nature battling between earning favor and accepting grace, but it should challenge us to humble ourselves before our God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Where in your life are you using your works as an idol, rather than focusing on your relationship with God and allowing him to lead you?