The Vine: May 27, 2024

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by 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 do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. ”

— John 3:1-17

John 3:16 is one of the most recognizable verses in scripture. Many of you remember watching NFL games and seeing John 3:16 on posters behind the goalposts during extra points and field goal attempts. There are other verses in scripture that stand out too, but it is important to interpret them in the context of which they were written. In our story today a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night. He was a leader of the Jews, and no doubt, was an influential person in his circles. It was not unusual for people to approach rabbis in the evening time for conversation and learning. It is not particularly unusual that Nicodemus approached Jesus in the night. However, it is possible that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to not be noticed by others.

The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus centered around what it meant to be born again or born from above. The Greek word anothen can be translated “again” or “from above.” It was Nicodemus who misunderstood and spoke of being “born again,” while Jesus said one must be “born from above.”

God’s grace is indeed a gift and comes to us “from above,” or to put it another way, it comes from outside of ourselves as God pursues us in love. We see this work of God’s love and grace played out in Nicodemus’ life as we encounter him again in John 7:45-52 where he is arguing for Jesus in public. It is interesting to note that the first time Nicodemus approached Jesus it was at night, and then the second time we encountered Nicodemus he was advocating for Jesus in public.

The last of Nicodemus’ appearances in John’s gospel is found in John 19:38-39 (Jesus had just been crucified): “After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so, he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.”

It is interesting to note that John made mention that Nicodemus “who had at first come to Jesus by night” also came bringing the spices. It was John’s way of highlighting the movement and work of the Holy Spirit in Nicodemus’ life between his first encounter with Jesus and his last.

It is likely that Nicodemus took to heart what we now call John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

In this one verse we have what we often refer to at our church as “belonging, believing, and becoming.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son (Belonging – God made God’s decision for us in love long before we were even born – all of us.), so that everyone who believes in him may not perish (Believing – We say “Yes” to God’s “Yes” to us in Christ.), but may have eternal life (Becoming – Eternal life in Christ is not just what happens when we die, but life in his name can be experienced today as the Holy Spirit shapes us in grace.)

And let us not forget John 3:17 – poor verse 17!! How would you like to be stuck behind John 3:16? John 3:17: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that that world might be saved through him.” Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

Eternal life is often understood as what happens when we die – going to heaven. While that is a part of eternal life, it is also true that we are living in eternity today and that the Holy Spirit is at work in shaping our lives and how we live. What impact does God’s offer of Jesus Christ without condemnation have on you?

How does that affect how you treat others?

Belonging, believing, and becoming is shaped after our understanding of the process of God’s grace in our lives – often referred to as prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. How have you experienced God’s grace in your life regarding belonging, believing, and becoming?

Who were the people who helped you recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?

prayer:

“Almighty and all-loving God, we thank you for loving the entire world, including us in all our sin and frailties. Help us to receive your grace and eternal life in Christ as we seek to be instruments of grace in the world today. For you did not come to condemn us but to love and save us. Thank you for the gift of today and one another. Amen.”

In Christ,
Brad

Printer Version