Don't Carpe Diem
At the first Passover feast of Jesus' ministry, many believed in him because of the signs that they witnessed. And in this case, it appears that the sign(s) they saw were his cleansing of the temple. They were allured by his authority. In any case, they were drawn to him and, as so many people do, wanted to make a commitment to his ministry. They wanted to hail him as the next great thing. And how they longed for the next great thing. 400 paralyzing years of silence separated them from the last of the prophets. Greek conquest and Hellenization of their region followed by Roman occupation. Their national identity was crumbling and It had been a thousand years since Israel had seen its best days under king Solomon. They wanted the next great thing.
But Jesus knew they weren't ready...yet. Most preachers would seize upon such an opportunity. People clamoring for him to take his place among them as the next great prophet. But Jesus knew that they weren't properly prepared, as John the Baptizer, had sought to ready them. He called for repentance. They wanted a glorious and powerful king that would restore Israel to national prominence. But Jesus knew their hearts. And so we have two beautiful stories that these three verses set up: Jesus' nighttime and quiet encounter with Nicodemus and his obscure conversation with a Samaritan woman. And it is in these two accounts that Christ's motive is made clear: No matter who you are - religious expert or an adulterous outsider, you can be born from above and receive a transformed heart.
What will happen when people begin clamoring for this?
But Jesus knew they weren't ready...yet. Most preachers would seize upon such an opportunity. People clamoring for him to take his place among them as the next great prophet. But Jesus knew that they weren't properly prepared, as John the Baptizer, had sought to ready them. He called for repentance. They wanted a glorious and powerful king that would restore Israel to national prominence. But Jesus knew their hearts. And so we have two beautiful stories that these three verses set up: Jesus' nighttime and quiet encounter with Nicodemus and his obscure conversation with a Samaritan woman. And it is in these two accounts that Christ's motive is made clear: No matter who you are - religious expert or an adulterous outsider, you can be born from above and receive a transformed heart.
What will happen when people begin clamoring for this?
