Rainbow and Cabbage Tree, Forrest Hill
John 3 introduces us to Nicodemus, a teacher in the Jewish community, a Pharisee, who comes to Jesus by night to check him out. We deduce he is not keen to be seen with this unauthorised rabbi and become the subject of gossip and shame. Nonetheless, his curiosity about Jesus' teaching has been awakened, so he must engage.
We are familiar in the churches with the terms new birth, born again and so on. Depending on the context, they can be helpful terms or not. Sometimes they are code for who's in or who's outside the approved group. This is not a helpful situation. Rather let us take a more open view that if your mind is changed by Jesus, you can expect the Holy Spirit to bring renewal to your life. If there is no life change or altered perspective, what really is the point?
Nicodemus reacts when Jesus says; "You must be born from above."
"How can these things be?" he splutters. I think perhaps he is being a little obtuse, it seems clear Jesus is speaking figuratively, not about an actual, physical birth. To add a little light on this we could turn to Matthew 18:3 where the followers are encouraged to become 'like little children.' The point is, spiritual renewal in Jesus requires a child-like (not childish) humility, a teach-ability that allows our souls to be transformed. Starting afresh is not a category the venerable Pharisee is particularly open to.
The reality is, not many of us are open to being 'born from above.' We prefer well-worn paths and the faith of our youth. People tell me what this congregation was like in the past. We want to relive the glory days. Things are very different now. However, God is still living and moving in people's lives, both individually and in community. God will do a new thing but it won't look familiar or comfortingly remind us of the past. Are we teachable, humble and willing to be born from above into what God has for us? Let us live in hope.