Sometimes knowing too much can get in our way of being who we are meant to be.
Contents
Being Too Smart For Your Own Good Can Get You Frustrated
I usually like to modernize a Bible story, to give it a current, relevant feeling. But today’s text needs none of that. It is totally relevant for any age.
Let’s look at a conversation that started with an intelligent man getting very frustrated; to the point of wanting to give up. But then the master conversationalist explains the Truth to him, and changes the course of his life forever. Hopefully we can learn a few tips from this master conversationalist, Jesus
The Conversation
3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3:3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”
3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”
3:9 Nicodemus responded and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you people do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
3:13 No one has ascended into heaven, except He 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, so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.
3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.
3:18 The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Let’s unpack what Nicodemus was going through.
1st, Nicodemus was a smart and intelligent person. He did/could not buy his way to become a Pharisee. It wasn’t like being a policrit, where you can pay off enough people to say nice things and tow a party line to get elected. It was hard work and a LOT of study to become a Pharisee. Nicodemus had become a well respected leader and teacher in the Sanhedrin (NOTE: The Sanhedrin was the equivalent of the Supreme Court for all Israel. The Sanhedrin consisted of 71 people – out of 6 million Jews at the time of Jesus’ ministry. No small accomplishment).
What did Nicodemus know about Jesus at this time?
Jesus’ reputation was spreading. He had already accomplished a number of miracles; healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, feeding the 5,000, raising the dead (Tabitha), turning water into wine. Probably more. But surely enough to warrant the attention of the religious rulers towards this young upstart.
The Conversation: revisited…
Let’s add a little thinking to what was going through Nicodemus’ mind every time Jesus responded to him.
Nic: “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Nice enough. He acknowledges Jesus is doing some amazing things, and that it is ONLY possible if God is with Him.
Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. WOW! Jesus just bottom lines the entire conversation from the start. Straight out, Jesus says “There is ONE WAY to Heaven. You MUST be born again.”
What could Nicodemus be thinking? This surely caught him off guard. Listen to his response.
Nic: “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”
Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Jesus must sense Nicodemus’ frustration and confusion at this point.
Nic: “How can these things be?” Basically, Nicodemus throws his hands up, and is like “I don’t get it.”
Jesus: (Is there a bit of frustration in Jesus here?) “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? …”
I believe it is at this point, Jesus knows Nicodemus is ready to really listen; truly receive whatever Jesus tells him. So, Jesus delivers the Gospel the way Nicodemus needs to hear it.
Jesus: “No one has ascended into heaven, except He 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, so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him”. Jesus reaches into Nicodemus’ heart and uses a reference he will understand.
Jesus is so cool that way. He knows us better than even we know ourselves. He says things to us, points things out, that we just can’t miss (unless we decide to hide from His truth).
Now Jesus has Nicodemus’ full and undivided attention and understanding. Jesus delivers the Gospel.
Jesus: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Jesus lays out the Good News first. But notice: JUST LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, not only does Jesus deliver the Good News, He also gives the Bad News, for those who decide to NOT serve Him now. ”…the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
What Can we learn from this?
Psychological Aspect – Be open to new ideas and perspectives
This exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus has always hit me hard.
I have a tendency to think that I know it all; that I’ve cornered the market on truth on what and how God does things. Maybe that’s you? Can you relate? I’d love for you to leave me a comment. Let me know I’m not alone. I think a lot of people think like this. I know a lot of people preach like this.
Thankfully, I get reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God is SO FAR above us. I am so glad we have a Lord and Savior who cares so much for us; even when we frustrate the tar out of Him. He still showers us with His patience, kindness, mercy and love. Praise God.
My only advice/warning I would give you is this. Read Acts 17:11 and 1 John 4:1-3. Read them, understand them, believe them. We live in a world of charlatans and wolves in sheep’s clothing. Look at the state of the world, the state of our children. These evil people (men and women) want you to believe you should live your best life now; be healthy and wealthy (but not wise, hmm – so they can fly in their private jets).
Emotional Aspect – Be humble before everyone
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Nicodemus may have started off a little arrogant – who knows? But Jesus cuts to the quick, and tells us the truth. That should help us to be humble himself. If Nicodemus (much smarter than me) could get it wrong, and I can (and do) get it wrong, maybe I should be humble with others.
Friendship Aspect – Want to be a good friend/evangelist? Ask questions, shut up & listen
It’s good to ask people questions. Give them a chance to explain themselves. Give yourself a chance to understand them, and where they are.
Jesus met each person in their specific situation. We cannot water down the Gospel to a “one size / method fits all”. Like Jesus, meet the person God puts in your path where they are. Then walk with them towards the knowledge of Jesus, as written in the Bible. Use His Gospel. God’s written word is more powerful than any twist you try to put on it.
Conclusion
Do you get frustrated at times? With yourself? With others?
Ask God why you re getting frustrated. There are a plethora of reasons. I can’t tell you hat your specific reason is. But I’d like to know.
Leave me a comment about what gets you frustrated, why, and how you think you can change it. If you need help figuring out the how, tell me that too. Let’s chat about it.
We’re all on our Pilgrim’s Progress. And we are not there yet. There’s still time. 🙂
God Bless,
DonR