Searching Series

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ’You must be born again.’

8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

So this guy who goes to Jesus, his name is Nicodemus. The Bible says Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Do you know what that means? Jesus was hated and opposed by this council because he was always pointing out how hypocritical they were. So here’s this member of this group of people who hate and oppose Jesus, and he approaches Jesus.

But when does he approach Jesus? At night! Why do you think that was? Do you think Nicodemus might have been fearful? Do you think he wanted to make sure no one from the council saw him talking to Jesus and entertaining the possibility that Jesus was who he said he was? Do you think Nicodemus was searching for God, but was fearful about what the effect would be on his old life and his relationships if he actually found what he was looking for? I’ll bet many people here today are searching, but they are fearful of what will happen if you find what you’re looking for. What will my spouse think? What will my parents think? What will my friends think?

Nicodemus says to Jesus, “I know you are a teacher who comes from God.” Scratch that. That’s not what he says. Look. He says, “We know you are a teacher who comes from God.” Nicodemus spoke not just for himself, but for some or all of the other members of this council that opposed and hated Jesus. Now whether Nicodemus was appointed by this group to go speak on their behalf, or whether he was just referring to a select group within the council, clearly we see that Nicodemus was fearful. He feared exposing himself and possibly he feared exposing the other members of the council who were searching for the truth about Jesus. Searching is nearly always characterized by fear and frustration. And yet here we have one guy – one guy who says, “I’m going to go ask. I’m going to search for the truth.” Now before we exalt this guy too much, we have to remember that the scriptures don’t record Nicodemus speaking up even once on Christ’s behalf during his trial, torture, and execution. Nicodemus was no hero. He was just like you and me. He was curious, and had just enough courage to sneak out under cover of darkness and ask a few questions. Then after Jesus was dead, he summoned the courage to request permission to bury him. Talk about a guy who can’t quite pull it together. Sounds a lot like many of us.

So Nicodemus and Jesus begin to have this conversation, and in this conversation, Nicodemus has three lines. In his first line, he greets Jesus and says, “Hey, we’re thinking you might actually be for real.” Do you think that was it though? My guess is that behind that statement was the question, “So are you?”

Then both of his next two lines are direct questions.

“How can a man be born when he is old,” and “How can this be?”