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2009-07-09 - To Confound the
Wise
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the
teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? (NASB)
Nicodemus here could be a symbol of the wisdom of this world, but he chose
not to be.
Now please don't think I'm bashing Nicodemus. He had enough humility and
desire for the truth to risk his position and his reputation to seek out
Jesus. Then he ushered up the courage to ask honest questions. He was not
trying to trap Jesus like some of his peers. Nicodemus had heard Jesus speak
and his heart and mind had been touched. This "teacher
of Israel" was honest enough with himself that he had to know. Something
burned inside him to drive him to this desperate journey after dark. He was
very well-educated. He was wealthy. He was a highly respected member of society.
He was surrounded by his peers who sought to discredit or destroy the itinerant
Rabbi Jesus, or both. He had all the excuses the world can offer to cling
to what he knew against the teachings Jesus offered.
The world hears the truth and what happens?
First, the world can be dismissive. They can regurgitate the same thoughtless
arguments that have been repeated time and time again. A lie, or anything
for that matter, repeated often enough can sound like it's true. The insistence
that all that exists can be seen, touched or smelled. I will also not dismiss
the amazing abilities of the human machine that we all dwell inside. The
human body is an awesome creation with five complimentary senses, strength
and resilience. Thought it is not as perfect as it once was, or as it will
be again someday. The mind with its capacity for memory and creative thought
dwell inside this body, along with a soul that is capable of a range of passions
and compassion that can be heartbreaking to soul-mending. I find it more
difficult to believe that this combination is all the end result of some
happy and very long chain of accidents than it is to believe that we are
"fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).
The world can be dismissive of the Bible as a dusty old book. Archeology
supports the text. The Dead Sea Scrolls continue to slowly, carefully yield
research that indicates the accuracy of translations. Even those who do not
believe the spiritual significance of the Bible find it historically relevant.
Archeologists have reported that they work with a trowel in one and and the
Bible in the other. It surprises me that one side might be considered accurate,
and the other more important side would not be.
Nicodemus did not give in to the dismissive railings of his peers, or the
ability to fall back on his own resources for comfort.
The world can be indifferent. An interesting fact is that everyone who has
ever lived, is living now, or will live - with very few exceptions - will
die. We have what is a potentially huge decision to make and the world has
the capacity to put it off as if that day will never come. Either way, this
life will end. If you live until some piece or pieces of this amazing machine
cease to function or the Lord returns, this life will end.
Jesus words burned in Nicodemus' ears and in his mind. He did not give into
indifference or to blindly repeating the half-truths of the world.
If Nicodemus had been caught with Jesus it would not have gone well for him.
Yet he risked everything he had worked for his whole life to understand the
truth Jesus was presenting. Not truth like two and two is four. That is a
truth - a mathematical truth. It is not the truth - the source of wisdom.
Nicodemus, with all his education and his years upon years of study, could
not reconcile what Jesus was saying with everything he had learned. Some
of the pieces fit, and others did not but rung strongly that they were true.
He had to know. He could not remain on the sidelines of the discussion.
The world can react with hostility. The angry child that says he doesn't
like your rule and is taking his ball and going home is an example. It doesn't
matter whether or not the rule is correct or if it makes sense in creating
order and fairness in the game. The rule offends them and interferes with
the way they want things to be, so it's wrong. This is another way of being
dismissive. This is a news report that picks out all of the negative points
in a story leaving out the good to make it seem as bad as possible. This
would be like panning in a river loaded with ore - dipping the pan into the
water and carefully swirling out the water to keep all the lead you could
find while washing the gold ore back into the water.
Nicodemus was looking for the gold nuggets of truth not as the world defined
wealth. He was an honest man who took Jesus' stinging question (probably
said with a wry smile), and kept asking questions earnestly seeking the truth.
There is a time and a place for anger. Deciding to be angry because the rule
says three strikes and the batter is out and you happen to be that batter
is not the right time. Disappointed yes. Angry, no. This kind of anger is
not only dismissive, but it is dishonest with and unfair to everyone including
self in the process in any forum - spiritual, political, etc. Wisdom is to
accept the rule and hand the bat to the next player. The alternative is
destructive to the very fabric of society. If truth is not upheld and respected,
then there is no reliable standard and disorder will erode the foundations
until they crumble and the world loses in the process of trying to have its
way.
1 Cor 1:25-29 Because the foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For
consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according
to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has
chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen
the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen,
the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God. (NASB)
The world can also hear the truth, seek it out and accept it like Nicodemus.
Seek the truth so that you have it to give to the world around you. One may
plant seeds, another may water them, and yet another may reap the harvest.
Plant and water anyway even if you do not seem to see the reaping. The fields
are ready for the harvest and the harvest is happening. God is also looking
for reapers. God is not idle and time is ticking away. There may be another
Nicodemus headed your way.
(John
4:34-36)
Selah.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
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