Getting down to the basics: Who is Jesus?

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Gospel: John 3: 1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at 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 are doing
unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 
Nicodemus said to him,
“How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Today we encounter a Pharisee named Nicodemus. His role in John’s Gospel is similar to that of Doubting Thomas. They both remind us that faith is a journey.

Thomas would not believe in the resurrection until he had a personal encounter with the Risen Lord. “I will not believe unless I see the nailmarks in his hands and put my finger into his side,” Thomas said.

Nicodemus is also on the verge of faith, but he’s stuck in the realm of questioning. Curious, he approaches Jesus, who tells Nicodemus that he must be, “born again.” Then Jesus speaks of new life and the role of the Spirit. 

But this just leaves Nicodemus with more questions. “How can a man once grown old be born again?” he asks.

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We do not encounter Nicodemus again until Jesus is put on trial. Still a Pharisee, Nicodemus intervenes on Jesus’ behalf and implores his peers to allow Jesus to explain himself – a sign that Nicodemus still wants to know more.

We then encounter him a third time when he brings spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

Does Nicodemus’ faith die with Jesus at the tomb? Does he join Thomas, becoming part of the Christian community?

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We don’t know. John leaves that for us to ponder.

Nicodemus serves as a reminder to all of us that, at some point, we must decide for ourselves who Jesus is. 

Is he a prophet? A teacher? Or is he, in fact, the Appointed One, whom all of the prophets foretold?

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Our answer will change our experience of life – both now and in the world to come.

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Item credits: (1) Who is Jesus? God, Christ or Both? One God Worship (2) Christ and Nicodemus Glisee Print – Crijn Hendricksz Volmarijn, Art.com (3) Bibles For America, YouTube 2:28