If I Could Ask One Question of Nicodemus, I would ask “Nicodemus, Did You Finally Understand Jesus?”

 “Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” John 3:1-12

I have a real soft spot in my heart for Nicodemus – for I have been Nicodemus. I have been in the position of asking a question, getting an answer, and not really understanding the answer. I have another soft spot for Nicodemus for he doesn’t stop asking – at least until the end of the text. And even then, I get the impression that he continues to ask questions, even though we do not have them recorded in the book. I believe he continues to ask questions to the point he becomes a disciple of Jesus.

One of the ways we learn more about our faith, and expand our faith understanding is to ask many, many questions. And in the process of finding answers to our questions, we come up with more questions. The true essence of learning involves asking questions, and seeking answers. This was the true essence of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a teacher of the law, and he believed he knew a lot about his faith. But Jesus was teaching a new understanding – and it would take time for Nicodemus, and others, to truly understand what Jesus was teaching.

But, if I had a chance to ask Nicodemus a question, I would want to know if he finally reached a true understanding of the teachings of Jesus. What question would you ask Nicodemus?

Pastor Dave