Now there was a man named Nicodemus . . .
Nicodemus is just the foil . . .
the unwitting guy picked from the audience
who ends up barking like a chicken
at the magic show. . .
our uneasy laughter
the reveal –
for we too
when called to the stage
become as barking chickens
Jesus has had a full day what with cleansing the temple and all . . .
As a Pharisee, Nicodemus is one of the guys
One of the guys . . .
The guys who let money changers
and sheep and cattle and doves
and the coin of the realm
take up residence
in God’s house
Yeah - Nicodemus is one of those guys . . .
But there must have been something about him coming
as he did in the night
Maybe it was just curiosity –
the thirst to learn
that drove Nicodemus to Jesus
as surely as Jesus drove the money changers
away from him . . .
And maybe Nicodemus is a representative
an ambassador of sorts
coming to Jesus
on behalf of the very Pharisees
who will one day kill him . . .
but not yet . . .
for now they are curious . . .
alarm will come later . . .
Oh, how it must have stung Nicodemus . . .
Man of learning
and stature
respected position in the community
Visitor of the nighttime . . .
To hear Jesus’ last words to him . . .
The words about light and darkness . . .
Judgment words . . .
Final verdict, sentencing words . . .
And what a surprise . . .
The final verdict is not a word of punishment
but a word of pronouncement . . .
This is who you are . . .
God’s knowing is God’s judgment with Jesus –
I came to you in the light of day, Nicodemus . . .
But you sneak to me in the nighttime . . .
What is it that you fear, Nicodemus?
Or is it ‘who’ you fear?
Who are you so afraid will see
You with me?
Ah, Nicodemus . . .
Can’t you live into the light?
Can’t you let yourself be seen plainly?
When, Nicodemus, will you stop looking for signs in the dark?
When, Nicodemus, will you stop feeling around like a child
in the night for its lost teddy bear?
When, Nicodemus, will you just open your eyes
and see what is right before you?
God has set all you need before you . . .
God’s Spirit is blowing across the land . . .
All you need do is believe . . .
Believe in possibilities . . .
Believe that the old can be made new . . .
Believe in your own rescue . . .
Believe that God is the only tether you have
to heavenly things . . .
Not teaching . . .
Not right practice . . .
Not paying your dues . . .
Not your purity . . .
Not your rules or your laws . . .
God . . .
The God who so loves . . .
Not Nicodemus . . . or not only you
Not Pharisees . . . or not only you
Not Israel . . . or not only you
But the world . . .
Leave out
kick out
push out
Any of it
And you leave, kick and push out
Me . . .
How can . . . you keep asking
Do you seek an instruction manual?
Ah, Nicodemus, do you not hear?
Can you not see?
Do you not know the gift when
it stands before you?
For God so loves the world
that God gave –
wait for it –
Gave what?
Not what Nicodemus, but who . . .
God so loves the world
that God gave . . .
that God gives . . .
Me . . .
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Behold, Nicodemus . . .
I am . . .
I am . . .
The eternal mid-wife bringing you into new life . . .
I am . . .
The labor pains of birthing you . . .
I am . . .
The protecting placenta
surrounding
protecting
nourishing
You . . .
I am . . .
The Spirit-wind
that blows. . . breathes . . . life
into you
Ah Nicodemus . . .
Stop clinging to the womb
as if it were the only safe place you know
and
allow yourself
to come into the world
as the baby you are
Safe
loved
protected
nurtured
Stop judging, Nicodemus . . .
Stop judging and start living . . .
For here begins your eternity . . .
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