A New Beginning

Author: Pastor Dinah
May 29, 2024
Here's the thing about the pharisee Nicodemus in the gospel of John.
We've taken him and declared him not a disciple.
Because ... you're either in or you’re out - right? He's not one of the 12, he must be out. That's how our minds want to see it.
But you know what, this isn't the only time he shows up in the gospel.

He returns in chapter 7 to defend Jesus among those in power who want to arrest him. Nicodemus says, "Our law doesn't judge people without giving them a hearing." And the leaders of Jerusalem say to Nicodemus, "What? Are you from Galilee or something?" (As if to say you're with him - aren't you?).

Then, in John chapter 19, after Jesus is crucified, Nicodemus is there -­
with Joseph of Arimathea (the secret disciple).
He brings a mixture of aloe and myrrh, weighing about 100 pounds,
to care for the body and place it in a tomb.

In chapter 1 of John's Gospel, Jesus's invitation to the very first disciples is simply this. Come and see. Nicodemus certainly does this.
He sees Jesus all along the way.
I always find the Gospel of John challenging because you know what? It doesn't fit neatly into my framework or any categories I try to put it into.
It's fascinating to me that this Bible story where Jesus invites a Pharisee to think and to dream beyond his categories, has been used to make divisions among us. Disciple, not a disciple. Born again. Not a Christian.
Day, night.
You know, for the Jewish people, the new day begins not at sunrise, but at sunset.
In John Chapter 3, when Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night, this is a new day. This is a new day that he has witnessed. May it be a new day for us as well and may it all be more beautiful and stranger than we can imagine.
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