Lip service to love in service
After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” — John 3:2
I don’t think Nicodemus gets it here. Sure, he knows what to say to the miraculous sign-producing Jesus in the shadows of night, but this is likely lip service at this point in this servant’s story.
Like Thomas who sees the holes in Jesus’ hands, I hear Nicodemus doesn’t quite get it—yet.
The seasoned theology star wants to get it. He earnestly seeks understanding. Then again, he doesn’t. Not really. Then he does. Kind of. Then he doesn’t.
This yes/no/maybe time is awkward for Nicodemus. “Sell me,” he says. “But don’t.”
Jesus totally understands his nighttime guest just as Jesus totally understands us. In liturgy and in lyrics, we have said and sung what we don’t fully get.
At least not yet.
Hold the joy here. Nicodemus shows us what we are doing. When we meet Jesus and then let His words seep deep into our souls so much that they define us (or begin to define us), we move from trepid faith to tremendous faith, from lip service to love in service.
We do love in service with Jesus because Jesus meets our questions not once but each time we are in the dark.
PRAYER: Rabbi, in the spirit of Nicodemus who did learn who You are, keep teaching us. Amen.
Leave a Reply