“He came to Jesus by night” (John 3:1-17)

John 3:1-17

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Pastor Tom Johnson, March 12, 2017

Nicodemus is a Pharisee. He is an expert in the Hebrew Scriptures. He is a religious leader. He happened to be part of a group of people who at odds with Jesus during his whole ministry. The Pharisees challenged Jesus. They tried to catch him in lies and false teachings. They accused him of being from the devil. They criticized Jesus for who he spent time with: “he is a friend of sinners,” they complained, “and eats with tax collectors and prostitutes.” And Jesus has some of his harshest words for the Pharisees. He has a whole sermon of “woes” where he exposes their hypocrisy. He makes fun of them another time because of their practices such as white washing tombs and straining out gnats and swallowing camels.

So, it is not surprising that Nicodemus would not want the other Pharisees to know about his pilgrimage to Jesus. After Jesus’ death and resurrection we learn that there is another Pharisee, Joseph of Arimathea, who was also a secret follower. But for now, Nicodemus does not want anyone to know about his visit to this Rabbi and healer. And so he goes under the cover of darkness. He feels safer in the shadows so that no one will find out. This is an ancient technique. In fact, our first parents—Adam and Eve—tried to hide their bodies with fig leaves. And they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord among the trees of the garden. Adam said, “I heard the sound of you, O Lord, in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” And so we try to obscure our true selves to this day.

Most crimes are committed at night. We are less likely to be spotted and identified. Shame and guilt will keep us in the shadows. Like Adam and Eve, we may even think we can keep God in the dark. But I also think this true of unnecessary shame and guilt. Nicodemus is not doing anything wrong. But he is afraid of what others may say or think. He is very likely worried about what the other Pharisees will say or think. And so Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. I think it is a courageous step forward. I believe Nicodemus has faith that Jesus is a safe place. Nicodemus can be himself. He can say that he knows God is with Jesus. He can tell him that faith has taken root. He is ready for Jesus to challenge him to trust him even further. And so our true selves emerge more easily when we can approach someone without fear of criticism or judgment. Jesus is that safe place. When we draw near him in prayer, he accepts us. He knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The truth is that Jesus is drawing Nicodemus out of the shadows. He is calling him out of the darkness into the light. Nicodemus is not going down a dark path that leads to death. Whoever believes in Jesus—whoever trusts him will not perish but will have eternal life. Our journey out of the shadows and through the cover of darkness does not end with death and the tomb. It begins anew with forgiveness and rebirth from the womb—the womb of Christ’s Church by the water, Word, and Spirit of Baptism. We are born again of God. We are born from above in the Kingdom of God. We should not fear the light of Christ. Yes, the light exposes our darkness. But it also drives it away. Sin, shame, and guilt are scattered and washed away. We can be true to ourselves and true to God. Whoever we are, God calls us out of our hiding places and the cover of darkness.

The Spanish word for give birth is “give light” (dar a luz). That is what happened when we were born. We came out of the dark womb into the light of the world. In Christ, we are born again—born from above. We come into the light of the Kingdom of God. He will challenge us when we step into his light. But it is a challenge based on love and acceptance. He challenges us not to just be more informed—but transformed by the Holy Spirit. We are reborn as children of Light. The light exposes our sin, drives away guilt and shame, and then dresses us up for eternity. Christ is lifted up on the Cross in death so that we are lifted up by the Spirit to new life. We are now clothed in his light. And we will shine like the midday sun forever.

God would not have the sinner die;
His Son with saving grace is nigh;
His Spirit in the Word declares
How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs.

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives all sins which you have done;
And justified by Jesus’ blood,
Your Baptism grants the highest good.
            ("God Loved the World So That He Gave" LSB 571, vv. 3 & 4)