Nicodemus: Undetected. Unfettered. Unrecognized (2018-03-11, Lent)

SUNDAY 11 March 2018, 4^th Sunday Lent

•• 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 •• Psalm 137  •• Ephesians 2:4-10 •• + John 3:14-21 ••

Title:  “Nicodemus: Undetected. Unfettered. Unrecognized.”

[__01__]   Once upon an I-95/Turnpike time, years ago, my grandparents and my aunt and uncle drove from here in the northeast to Florida to visit friends from their neighborhood.

          Arriving at their destination, they found out that the friends were in the Bronx. (Awkward). I am not aware how much longer my grandparents stayed on.

          They could have called first.

          The many communications devices  at our disposal enable us to avoid such pitfalls, such disconnections.

[__02__]     In the Gospel this Sunday, we read from the Gospel of John, Chapter 3, about a conversation between Nicodemus the Pharisee who has traveled some distance – though perhaps not a geographical distance in kilometers or miles – but rather across to a new spiritual ecosystem /climate-zone to see our Lord and Savior.

[__03__]     I’d like to touch on the example of Nicodemus as an aspiring disciple and the dynamics of what he experience – and we can experience – in our prayers and meditations.

          That is Nicodemus is [►UNDETECTED],  [►UNFETTERED], [►UNRECOGNIZED].

[__04__]     1^st . [►UNDETECTED]       Being undetected can be hazardous or inefficient if were to drive 18 ½ hours – Manhattan to Miami – and we arrive at our destination and the host knows not of our arrival. Not good news.

          There is a down side to being undetected.

          But, there is also an up side, good news.

          There’s a special delight and pleasure taken in being undetected in our loving relationships. For example, do we not delight at the times we can surprise someone or please someone who did not expect a special favor.

          Girls and boys – my young brothers and sisters – you can bring great joy to your mothers and fathers by doing what they ask -- [►UNDETECTED], unreminded …

          Nicodemus also gives us an example of being [►UNDETECTED]. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, is a partisan and party-member very much on the opposite side of the aisle from Jesus.

          (JBC Jerome Biblical Commentary 68:2 à “In view of the official opposition to Jesus, already suggested by John and borne out repeatedly throughout the Gospel, a prominent leader such as Nicodemus could only have come to see Jesus secretly [at night].”)

          It was a risk Nicodemus was willing to take.

          Nicodemus comes to Christ undetected. And you/I come ot pray sometimes [►UNDETECTED], by others about what our deepest desires, hopes, or joys might be.

          God alone knows.

          Also [►UNDETECTED], we rely on God to meet needs we may not even be aware of…

[__05__]     2^nd, [►UNFETTERED].  Nicodemus is unfettered, unburdened  in his encounter with Christ.  Nicodemus is unfettered.

          A “fetter” is something that burdens us, perhaps, as a constraint or even as a capability.

What is Nicodemus’ fetter, his prized possession?

          It is his education, learning, intellect.

          Earlier, Jesus had observed that Nicodemus is the “teacher of Israel.” (John 3:10)

          However, now, Nicodemus is in the dark, after regular-business hours and face-to-face with our Savior.  In John 3:1, we read that Nicodemus had come to see Jesus at night. This is Nicodemus unfettered, out of the spotlight, Nick@Nite.

          Our intelligence, our intellect are great gifts. But, do they, at times, not also become burdens as we might second-guess our choices or unfairly judge others.

          Nicodemus goes before Jesus to learn. He is unfettered, a reminder to ask God for help regardless of what we may have figured out.

          To be [►UNFETTERED] is a virtue.

         

[_06_]   3^rd.  [►UNRECOGNIZED].

          Nicodemus is unrecognized. We might assume that Nicodemus, the Pharisee, returns to his partisan ways, to his party, to his profession, to his career.

          And, maybe, at first, his connection to Jesus is not recognized or appreciated.

          Why?

          Was it because Nicodemus did not call first? Did not call ahead?

[_07_]    Sure, Nicodemus did not call first. But, then again, who among us, calls the Christ, Son of God first?

          Rather Christ calls us.

          Nicodemus was called; you were called; I was called.

          Nicodemus received and perceived a calling and went out, went out of his way, out of his comfort zone to learn about Christ.

          This was a risk, a risk to go [►UNDETECTED],  [►UNFETTERED], [►UNRECOGNIZED].

          In our own prayers and meditations, we may have to do the same – to be undetected, unfettered, unrecognized.

          However, over time, in our conversation with God, we can come to know Him, to learn His presence and to recognize Christ in our lives and know that he is detecting, he is watching over us each day … for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that all who believe in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  (John 3:16) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the Lord.    [__fin__]