A Meeting of the Minds

We are pausing reading the Bible beginning to end for Lent and a theme of Encounters with Jesus. In today’s scripture, Jesus is approached by Nicodemus, described as a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, a learned and respected member of the religious establishment. Other Pharisees have seen Jesus as a troublemaker and someone to be dealt with, but Nicodemus wants to find out about Jesus and approaches him by night. Nicodemus doesn’t begin with an accusation or question, but with a statement. The response Jesus gives is taken literally by the Pharisee, and Jesus goes further to explain, ending with the familiar lines that God so loves the world that he gave his only son. He goes further to say that God is not in the business of condemnation but is focused on salvation. Although Nicodemus doesn’t seem to be converted on the spot. His later appearances in the gospel indicate that he was changed. We, too, need to be vitally aware that God is not about condemnation, but about salvation.