How can this be? Thoughts on John 3

A man came looking looking for Jesus—something pulled him there. There was something about Jesus. So Nicodemus came at night and called Jesus rabbi, speaking with respect. He could tell God was at work in Jesus. No one could turn water into wine, battle with daemonic forces, or heal like Jesus did if God wasn't part of the action. Nicodemus said as much to Jesus. That's when Jesus spoke about being born from above and seeing the kingdom of God.

These words didn't sit well with Nicodemus. He wondered out loud, “How can you be born after growing up?” Jesus responded with words about water and Spirit. He spoke directly to Nicodemus' astonishment.

You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:7b-8 NRSV

Nicodemus was hearing words like he'd never heard before. And he wanted to know one thing:

How can this be? John 3:9

Nicodemus thought within a human framework—he looked at the situation and pondered Jesus words.

Jesus was bringing the kingdom of God in the world whether Nicodemus was ready or understood what it meant—the same thing is true in my life and it yours. Jesus has come for us not because we are ready or because we deserve his presence in our lives. Jesus has come on purpose—for the sake of the whole world.

Jesus spoke some of the great promises of God for the world. He spoke of a plan and an promise to save. Jesus is more than just a God who came to dwell among us. He came not just to descend from from heaven Jesus. He came to offer himself to the world—and our in our violence and rage we rejected him and lifted him up on cross to die—but when he was lift healing and salvation came for the world rather than destruction and rather. Jesus offered his life for the world sake of the whole world.

For 2000 years people have been called to hear and share the Good News that Jesus has come to redeem. He came not just for the self-righteous or the holier than thou. He came for the whole. He came to save and heal—and to follow him means to spread the news-Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save.
Peace and thanks for reading, John