How Can This Be?

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.” 

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

John 3:1‭-‬9 NIV

I completely associate with Nicodemus. When I read the Bible or ponder the great love God has for me, I get lost. I get lost in my limited human understanding. I get lost in my simplicity. As the created, I don't know that I have the capacity to ever fully understand the creator. 

Sin creates a separation between us and God. Even before sin entered the world, there was a separation between the creator and created. As sin enters the world that chasm grows wider and deeper.  How could I, the sinful, ever fully understand God, the sinless?

Indeed, I find myself just like Nicodemus. Like Nicodemus, I know who Jesus is. I know He is my teacher, God's only son, my savior. Under my own terms, I'm willing to ask God questions and learn, just like Nicodemus. 

Nicodemus used the cover of night to come to Jesus and shield himself from the scrutiny of this world.  Had he come during the day, all the people would have seen him.  They would have wanted to listen to their discussion.  His cover would be blown. 

Sometimes that's me, and maybe that's you too.  We hide in our ignorance. We box our Jesus up and keep Him on Sunday. We go to church and worship for an hour and then spend the next 167 hours returning to our normal routine, blending in with the rest of the world. We want to have Jesus in our lives, but we want Him on our terms.

That separation from God was bridged by Jesus. Because of his sacrifice we have hope.  Hope that we may come out of the darkness and into the light. Hope that with Jesus we may understand what we alone cannot. Hope that we, the imperfect, can live in the image of the perfect. Jesus allows us to cross that chasm created by our sin. 

When I consider the love and grace of our Lord, I often find myself asking, "How can this be?" When I consider the actions of Nicodemus, I think, "How can this be?" Then I remember, "Oh wait, that's me."

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Matt