John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
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. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Amazing bright night
Where was Jesus that night?
How long had Nicodemus been struggling about Jesus' identity?
How long did Nicodemus have to walk to reach Jesus?
Why did he go during the dark of night?
Was it a dark time or a darkness in Nicodemus' heart and mind?
This meeting plants seeds of trust in Nicodemus' heart and mind. He wants to know more about Jesus and His Messianism. Jesus tells him that spiritual birth through Baptism is a must for being a member in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Later on, we will see Nicodemus acting as a true believer by defending Jesus and being mocked by the Pharisees "Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” John 7:50-53. Even more, we see him join Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus' body for burial as a declaration of their faith in John 19:38-40.
From a secret meeting, to a plea for an innocent, to a declaration of faith when he bought the precious spices and joined the team to bury Jesus respectfully, three gradual facts show Nicodemus' growth in devotion as he sees the Light. The two acts of pleading for Jesus and preparing for His decent burial, together with Joseph of Arimathea, show how both of them declare themselves as Jesus' disciples.
In times of darkness and doubt, do we think to meet Jesus and talk with Him?
How many times do we not witness for our faith out of fear or hesitations for any reason?
During this time of Lent, do we examine our faithfulness to the vows of our Baptism and renew our commitments to witness for the Risen and Living Christ?
What kind of spices can we offer to Christ today in the person of the needy ones?
Let us meet Jesus in our penance, prayers and communion, and enjoy talking with Him in the Light.