“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night” with questions about God. Jesus’ response speaks of “being born from above.” Also of “being born of water and Spirit.”
Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. It is equivalent to being a member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Nicodemus is a judge who, like current U.S. justices, does not confer with the common man but rules over the common man. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court rules over the common man by simply considering the possibility that a former ruler has full immunity from prosecution, as if a monarch. Also, by rejecting the Constitution’s requirement that “no person… shall hold any office” who “shall have engaged in insurrection.” Justices like those on the U.S. Supreme Court and on the Sanhedrin, belong to an elite and quite separate group that has qualities of a cult; dictatorial control is asserted and members are isolated from the rest of society. When Nicodemus sneaks away from his courtroom at night to speak with Jesus, he is venturing out beyond his cult. Nicodemus is willing to engage in a relationship with a commoner, a man who does not bow to the judge’s position, does not live by the judge’s rule. Nicodemus takes a risk, a rare action for an elitist. Granting he takes his action at night, Nicodemus is willing to reveal himself as a thinker, a seeker. He has the courage to interact with someone of another social group. He is willing to step away from the honor of his positional authority and communicate with another person, face to face, who is different from him, less religious and more spiritual. Nicodemus is willing to be changed, to be born from above, born of Spirit. His is an exercise in social wellness from which we can all learn. We can cultivate social relationships beyond our own group. We can share ourselves, our Spirit, our thoughts, feelings, and skills with people who can benefit from learning from us. We can receive that same Spirit, that same sharing and benefit from others.
“Not something separate… a wall hastily fabricated to keep a conflict’s blaze contained. Or the self safe. Nor something hammered out at tables… We’d have to stand exposed at the crossroads of unguarded anger, a presence, not an absence, not gritting our teeth. Forcing our clenched hands open. Our heart’s hard core and everything the stubborn mind conceals revealed. Disarmed we may become disarming… our unmasked face radiant.” (Waging Peace – Sarah Klassan, adapted)
Prayer: Spirit of Adventure, guide us into risky territory.
Question: To what stranger have I recently reached out for a connection?
March 10, 2024 Gospel John 3:14-21 Fourth Sunday of Lent