In the Darkness (John 3:1-17)

Jesus and Nicodemus by Crijn Hendricksz, 1616–1645

Nicodemus comes to see Jesus during the night. He likely does this so no one will see him meeting with this upstart teacher. He doesn't want anyone to know about the meeting but he feels he must go because he has questions that he really wants answered. Jesus is saying things that demand more investigation and Nicodemus is truly curious.

He arrives in the dark of night, and likely leaves just as much in the dark when it comes to having any clarity about who Jesus is and what it is that he is teaching. Their exchange, reported by John, seems quite unsatisfying. Their conversation just doesn't seem to meet, the questions and answers don't seem to match. Nicodemus, I'm sure, left frustrated.

Jesus was talking in heavenly terms while Nicodemus was trying to bring the conversation down to earth, down to his level. He needed to think bigger, think higher.

This Sunday, we will listen in on this dark of night conversation and see how it applies to us and our lives.

For God so loved the world.......