The
Heart Breaking Dilemma of Being Human
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” “How can
a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a
second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you
the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water
and the Spirit. John 3:3-5
I was asked a question by a family member recently about the meaning of the
phrase, "born again".
My cousin told me someone accosted him with the statement he had no right
to refer to himself as a "born again Christian" because that was reserved
for some particular kind of believer--no doubt the man's own special in group.
My reply was that the term "born again" is used only once in the entire Bible
and it is used as a verb not an adjective.
In other words Jesus uses it to describe a process, not an attribute.
And the way Jesus is using it sets up a dilemma for Nicodemus who quickly
gets the point:
What Jesus is asking is humanly impossible.
So my answer to my cousin is that as long as he is following Jesus, he can
call himself whatever he wants.
I like "Presbyterian", but that's just my bias.
The encounter with Jesus goes like this:
Nicodemus is a leader in the Jewish community. He is a scholar and member
of the Sanhedrin, the council of religious leaders who acted as a sort of
Jewish parliament, as much as they could under Roman authority.
From what we know of Nicodemus, he is a good and fair man who is sympathetic
to Jesus.
He comes to meet with Jesus one evening.
Much has been made over the fact this is a night meeting, which could also
imply he is not wanting to be seen with Jesus openly.
That may or may not be the case but as he holds a high office in the sanhedrin,
it is possible he came as an official visitor, to inquire about Jesus' intentions.
The conversation is very interesting.
Nicodemus is clearly disposed favorably toward Jesus.
It almost seems that he is coming to see if he can find some common ground
because he opens the conversation with what would be a very diplomatic opening
in a business or political negotiation:
He complements Jesus.
He says, "it is clear you come from God, for no one could do what you do
without God's authority."
In any human endeavor, a statement of that kind would be seen as an open
invitation to further dialogue.
In business it might be something like, "My friend, I really like your product
line. You clearly understand what the public is after. My partners and I
would very much like to find a way to do business with you."
Positive, right? And who would not follow up an opening like that?
Of course it presumes that you and your partners are in a position to do
something for this person and that there is every reasonable likelihood that
he or she wants what you have to offer.
But lets say you are the owner of a local chain of computer stores and you
are talking to Bill Gates, then maybe your kind offer is a tad presumptuous.
Bill Gates could buy you out a hundred times over and not miss the cash.
So Nicodemus makes what sounds like a very positive offer. He is trying to
do the doable.
Jesus immediately snaps the box down over the button and says, "sorry, no
deal"!
It is interesting to notice the language the two of them use.
Nicodemus uses the word, "can". No one can do these works unless they are
from God.
Jesus counters with "cannot". Unless you are born anew, you cannot see the
kingdom of God.
There is the origin of born again. Jesus is using it to tell Nicodemus, "sorry,
its impossible."
Nicodemus asks, "how can". How can a person enter into their mother's
womb to be born when they are old?
Jesus again says, "cannot." He says with human flesh and blood you
cannot, it is impossible.
Only being born of water and the spirit can you enter into God's presence.
Hey, there is just as good a term as "born again". Say, "I am born
of water and the spirit."
Ok, here is the point.
Nicodemus with all his good intentions--and he really did have very good
intentions, we know that from his later actions--but even with his good intentions,
there is precisely nothing he can do for Jesus that will earn him any merit
at all.
Nothing. Zip. Nada.
It is only what Jesus can do for Nicodemus that has any currency.
Nicodemus comes looking to forge an alliance.
Jesus says, starting from your standing point you can go absolutely nowhere.
It is only by understanding that all your goodness in human terms is bankrupt
that you can approach God.
You can never make yourself good enough in God's eyes to enter the kingdom
of God.
No amount of church going will do it for you, though hopefully by going to
church, you will learn the truth.
But church going in itself will do nothing, except keep you off the golf
course.
No amount of giving will do it, though God does take note of the generous
heart. Not because of the amount of money, but because of a kind heart.
No amount of praying will do it, if it is just saying prayers thinking they
will do the trick.
However one simple prayer of honesty and contrition will open heaven's doors
wide to you.
Confused?
So was Nicodemus.
Jesus was telling him there is a heartbreaking dilemma to being human.
The dilemma is that God has planted within each of us as sense of someone
and something beyond ourselves, but it is impossible to get there on your
own.
It is a heartbreaking dilemma, or it should be.
Because what God wants is a broken and contrite heart.
Jesus says to Nicodemus, "Listen, I have not come here to condemn you. I
have come to offer life, but you can only receive it when you understand
it is God's free gift to you. You, Nicodemus have nothing I need. You can
do nothing for me. It is I who can do everything for you, and you must understand
that is the nature
of any relationship. In fact God loves you so much that He sent me to offer
you eternal life."
Frances Schaeffer said the kind of faith you need when coming to God can
be symbolized by two upturned and empty hands.
We come asking God for life through Jesus with open and empty hands showing
we bring nothing but a heart open to receive His life.
That is always the way our prayers are heard. "Lord I can do nothing to earn
your love. Therefore I come because of the sacrifice of Jesus alone. Amen"
That is a prayer God will hear.
Jesus did not come to improve you or this world.
He came to remake both.
Anyone who takes Jesus name and tries to attach it to self improvement it
badly deceived.
Jesus came to say nothing in this world can ever make it into God's kingdom
except by transformation, not improvement.
That means absolutely everything.
And it starts with a recognition that it all starts by looking at life not
from our view point, but from our heavenly father's.
This is totally foreign to us.
We know, or we think we do, what it takes to get along.
Not so.
Jesus says, only by being completely transformed do we have any hope.
Humanly it is impossible.
In God, all things are possible.
Do you need a new start?
In God all things are possible.
Lets pray.
Lord, without you I know I can do nothing pleasing to you.
Please transform my life and how I have been looking at life.
Let me see it through your eyes.
Amen
Preached March 22, 2009
Dr. Harold McNabb
West Shore Presbyterian Church
Victoria, British Columbia
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