By Bill Brettschneider. June 8, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Each Tuesday morning, the Men's Connection meets at Chetola Mountain Resort, Blowing Rock, for breakfast (7:30 am), fellowship and Bible study. Blowing Rock News is pleased to share these weekly meditations, by discussion leader Bill Brettschneider.

Meditations

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The past 2 weeks have seen us enter into the Gospel of John – a text written in the language of the common man; a text carrying a message for “every man.” Last week saw a warm, “High Country” welcome as we once again were blessed as God worked through Chip Cash in opening up the Scriptures contained in John 1. How then that what “popped up” were Chip’s boots, waders and prized fishing rod? Yes, Jesus did say “Follow Me and I will make you fishers . . .” (Matthew 4:19) but surely he didn’t mean “fly fishing?”

All kidding aside, Chip encouraged us to see in John’s words the opportunity and challenge to not simply stand on the bank of the stream of our lives but rather to “wade in.” Not only to wade into the story as told by John but to wade into God’s redemptive story told in Jesus, the pages of which continue to unfold this day and tomorrow. For as it is written, “to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13) This key message in the Gospel of John is reinforced in John 20:31, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

“Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” – as the Hymn says, “What more can He say than to you He hath said.” What then will we do with that reality? How will we receive Jesus? Will we believe in his name? These fundamental questions must be answered, in fact will be answered, by all on their “journey to Jesus.” And so it was this week that we met a man on his journey to Jesus – Nicodemus, “a Pharisee . . . a member of the Jewish ruling council.” (John 3:1)

This very first verse tells us much about Nicodemus – he was well-placed, a man of experience and influence. As a Pharisee, “in-touch” with and well-considered by the people; as “a member of the Jewish ruling council”, the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus had his finger on the tempo and temperament of the community. Consider that which precedes the beginning of Chapter 3 –

John 1:19 - The Investigation of John the Baptist

“the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was” – Isn’t it likely that Nicodemus was among the “Jews of Jerusalem?”

John 1:21 – as they worked to determine his identity

“Are you the Prophet?” – Surely Nicodemus knew Deut. 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

John 1:23 – would Nicodemus have not read Isaiah as quoted by John?

“John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

For a man in the position of Nicodemus, isn’t it likely that the presence and purpose of John the Baptist would have “caught his eye and ear?” A likelihood made all the more convincing as we consider what he had experienced of this Jesus -

John 1:29 - called “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”

John 2:11 – changing water to wine: “the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory”

John 2:13-17 – His clearing of the Temple (That surely got the attention of Nicodemus!)

John 2:19 – a foretelling of Isaiah 53 fulfilled, Jesus as the temple restored in 3 days

John 2:23 – “many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.”

Is it any wonder that Nicodemus “came to Jesus?” Yet, we see that he “came to Jesus at night.” Much was at stake – his position, possessions and professional presence were all in jeopardy! However, in the face of the compelling person of Jesus, Nicodemus had to speak of what he knew – “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.” (John 3:2)

Jesus, always gracious, gently re-focuses Nicodemus away from that which had been easily seen and asks that he consider another perspective - “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” . . . “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:3, 5) Can you see the look on the face of Nicodemus? Can you hear him ask “Say what?”

Grounded in his view of the world and attracted to the miracles, Nicodemus came to Jesus! Jesus, grounded in his view of Heaven and attracted to eternity, give Nicodemus a view beyond the limits of the time and place in which they both lived. We later see Nicodemus with Joseph of Arimathea (John 19), “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.” As they cared for the body of Jesus, were these not the actions of men whose lives had been changed because they came to Jesus?

Nicodemus, “Israel’s teacher” did not fully grasp all that he had read and studied. Yet, he knew enough to come! His life was touched by the Spirit of God and the person of Jesus; he came “just as he was.” Then, what of us? What of you? We must all answer the question – “Who is Jesus and what does his death and resurrection mean to me?”

On your journey to Jesus, what is at stake, what is in jeopardy? Have you come as the young man who went away sad when his wealth stood between he and Jesus? (Matthew 19:16-22) Have you allowed your possessions and position to separate you from Jesus? Have you said, with pride in your accomplishments, “Because of what I have done, I don’t want Jesus!” Or, has your walk been one of sorrow and suffering that you would say, “Because of what I have done, Jesus doesn’t want me!”

Friend, please know that both of these views are wrong, clouded by self and sin. As it was for Nicodemus so it is for us – it is not about who we are but who Jesus is; not about what we have done but what He did! And thus we come to the words of Jesus, spoken to Nicodemus and spoken to you and I –

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

As you ponder these words, use YOUR name in place of “the world.” Are you among those who have received and believed Jesus? If not, today is the day of salvation! Come to Jesus; hear him when he says –

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Plan to join us next Tuesday, June 14 as we continue our summer season. Chip Cash will once again bless us as he leads us on our journey through the Gospel of John. Bring your Bible . . . and bring a friend.

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