In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Nicodemus. The Evangelist tells us that he is a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. Like many others in this Gospel, Nicodemus comes to Jesus searching and seeking: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Also, like the other disciples in this Gospel, he at times mishears or misunderstands what Jesus is saying as he speaks about being “born again” or “born from above.” Sometimes like the Samaritan woman, he takes Jesus’ teaching in a too literal sense:
Nicodemus: “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Samaritan woman: “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the well is deep; where then can you get this living water?” (John 4:11).
Jesus is taking about rebirth from God: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” The Greek word that he uses (anothen) can mean either “born again” or “born from above.” Nicodemus takes it in the literal sense, “born again” but Jesus means it in a metaphorical sense, “born from above,” that is new birth from God. So, we are “born again” through baptism. The Gospel announced this theme in the Prologue:
“But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.” (John 1:12-13)
All of us as baptized Christians have been “born again” or better, “born from above,” from God. Throughout baptism we are disciples of Jesus and children of God. Our Christian life is a call to live out our new baptismal identity. Like Nicodemus and the other disciples in John’s Gospel Jesus is patient with us as we seek to learn his way. Sometimes we misunderstand or take Jesus’ words in too literal a sense, but Jesus invites us each day to come and see and stay with him.
“Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” (John 1:38-39).
Image: “The Chosen – Nicodemus and Jesus” by The Chosen press photos (press.thechosen.tv) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.