Nicky D Redux

It was not easy to catch Jesus if you wanted to be a follower these days. Nicky D (saving his last name to protect him) was a respected religious leader. He wanted to understand something about this Jesus he kept hearing about. Jesus whole ministry seemed to be paradoxical to Nick. Everytime Nick heard about some miracle, a miracle or sign that God was truly "in the world," Jesus would break some religious law. Where did this guy fit into God's vision for the world?

Nick knew that these things had to be of God. He had to ask Jesus how this was possible. What kind of person was this Jesus, Nick wondered. Nick snuck around at night seeking out Jesus. He could feel a pull towards all that Jesus was saying and doing, but perhaps just a little afraid at what the cost would be to someone like himself.

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This little exchange between Nick and Jesus has received a great deal of attention. It comes early in John's Gospel. It introduces the phrase "born again"--perhaps one of the most misunderstood teachings of Jesus. And it includes the oft-quoted John 3:16.

Jesus talks about being "born of water and Spirit" in this passage in reference to "entering the kingdom of God." There is something in that statement with some imagery that rings true. This image of water "rebirthing" you has deep implications. Perhaps in order to experience God's kingdom here on earth, we need to wash away our expectations, the dirt of our lives that clouds our vision of God. Baptism is a symbol of that washing away and it takes the first time it happens...if we believe that second piece of the Spirit's presence in the world. When we are gathered together, we discover that amazing presence of Spirit among us. The Spirit's presence allows us to remind one another of God's kingdom here on earth now. We see God revealed around us when we gather and this provides the hope that is needed.

Knowing that this might not be enough, Jesus reminds Nick, and us, that we experience wind daily but do not know where it comes from or where it is going. When we open ourselves up to the Spirit's movement in our own lives, we are carried away into an amazing adventure of living, discovering the interconnectedness of God's creation all around us and the need for reconnecting to that spirit and presence for so many people.

But, here is the problem. Most of our contemporary religious conversation stops right around John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

That is a wonderful encouraging statement, unless you are still struggling along trying to make sense out of this Jesus stuff. And this is why we MUST read Jesus' following, concluding statement. If so many Christians had the courage to live out John 3:17, the world might look a little different. If we embraced all that God has created and provided us as gift, John 3:17 would be etched in our minds perhaps a little bit more. For having Jesus, believing in Jesus, following Jesus is one thing. But our actions are so much more important if we want to understand what it means to walk the path that Jesus walks. Nick discovers this as Jesus reminds him why sometimes law is not as important as grace.

John 3:17 reminds us that God did not send Jesus here to condemn the world. God sent Jesus into the world to remind us how loved this creation is to God. God sent Jesus to help us remember how precious we and all of creation need one another to save it, keep it, share it.

If only we took a few moments to find ways to lift up those different from ourselves, learn to embrace the person we hate, call one another into healing and wholeness for the brokenness each of us undoubtedly experience...well, then believing in Jesus will keep us from perishing in the swirl of anger, hatred, disatisfaction...things that distract us from being who we were created to be.

Nick comes with the thought, "God loves me, so what?" And is encouraged to leave with this thought, "God loves you, now what?"

If you are still asking that first question, stop by some time at Barnes and Noble or Unos. Drop by for coffee at the Panera. Reconnect to a life that will have meaning and direction, a life filled with amazing grace.