Does Jesus have a good reason for not trusting Nicodemus?
by Russell Rathbun
Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17
For Sunday, March 20, 2011
Year A - Second Sunday in Lent
Danger, distrust.
Meeting in the shadows after dark, coded language and obtuse similes. What we have here is Gospel Noir.
This is one of those texts that are so well know, so well worn that is hard to read, like to stay focused and hear it, see it. What I see, here is Jesus walking down the street, after the bars have closed, collar pulled up against the cold, hat pulled down, shoes slapping against the wet cobblestone. In a hurry.
Nick, sort of half steps out of a dimly lit doorway. Letting himself be seen, he motions Jesus over. Jesus nods to him and heads over, not exactly hesitantly, but not enthusiastically. Then the two exchange a couple of sentences, almost speaking past each other, like it is two parts of a prearranged signal, or maybe it is more like verbal sparing. Nick is checking Jesus out to see if he really knows his stuff, is who he says he is. He doesn’t entirely trust Jesus yet.
Nick: Rabbi, we know you are from God -- no one can do what you can do apart from God.
Jesus: No one can see the kingdom of God with our being born from above.
Nick: Born from above? How can I reenter the womb?
Jesus: What’s flesh is flesh, what is Spirit is Spirit; you were born of water, now you need to be born of Spirit. Back and forth they go, sparring. When I have read this in the past it always seemed like Nicodemus was down on one knee and Jesus had his hand on his shoulder giving him the words of life and welcoming him into the Kingdom—but as I read it now, Jesus is clearly standoffish, answering in a way that doesn’t exactly invite intimacy. He keeps Nick at a distance. This is not my Noir-ish fantasy, the writer of John actually sets up the scene that way.
Verses 2:23-25, explain that many believed because they saw the signs but Jesus did not trust them, would not entrust himself to them because he knew all people, he didn’t need anyone to tell him what people were like—he knew what was in everyone.
Is Nick So Different?
Is seems like Jesus has been hurt in the past—or he knows he is going to be hurt in the future. I never thought of Jesus not trusting people before, being a little leery. It makes me wonder if Nick is just the first of the religious leaders to try and get the goods on Jesus, and Jesus is onto him. Why is Nick treated so differently in the history of interpretation than other religious leaders? Jesus treats him the same as the others.
The Hardest Question
Does Jesus have a good reason for not trusting Nicodemus?
