Exception and Extraordinary

Imagine the scene somewhat like this; ‘Knock, knock’, ‘come in.’ a man opens the door takes a step inside, and says thank you for seeing me so late. No problem, Jesus replies, ‘I’ve been waiting for you.’ What do you mean? How did you know I was coming in the middle of the night? You’re no stranger to me, says Jesus, even though I’m a stranger to you. Come in and sit down.

The Gospel of John tells us that Nicodemus came by night to Jesus and spoke these words; ‘John 3:2’ ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Nicodemus was saying in so many words; Master, you are exceptional. You are extraordinary. I have come to the conclusion that God is the only possible explanation for what you do and what you say. In response, I can imagine Jesus saying, you are right; there is no possible explanation for what I do and what I say, other than God. But Nicodemus don’t misunderstand me. This is not true because I am God; though God I am, but because I have chosen to live as man in the way God created man to be. I place all my humanity at my father’s disposal. I am available to Him in body, spirit, soul---mind, emotions, and will. You are right Nicodemus, I am exceptional. As a matter of fact, I am the exception. But let me tell you something; no matter how ordinary a person may be, put God in that person and the ordinary becomes the extraordinary.’ 

This man who came to Jesus by night and Jesus let him know that religion could not save him; ‘John 3;3’ Unless a person is born again, he cannot even see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the Kingdom of God.

Though Nicodemus was a leader among the Pharisees, in his ignorance he had a big problem, one that is shared by many in Churches today. His big problem was; he didn’t truly understand why and how God designed him to function. Instead Nicodemus was religiously ‘house-trained’ to conform to religious patterns of thinking and acting. He had pious-language, but no life;…ritual…but no reality. He had only sterile religion, a sad substitute for the real thing.

The real thing, as Jesus told him is, ‘John 3;6’ that which is born of the Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit restores and connects us to the real thing, to the reality of humanity as God intended.

I believe the simplest explanation and definition of the Holy Spirit is this; through the Holy Spirit we can make ourselves available to God, and through the Holy Spirit, God is prepared to make Himself available to us.

Our bodies are designed as temples of the living God, and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and mine is to fill these bodies afresh with His glory, and cleanse them for His use as instruments of righteousness.

Read; Ephesians 5;18-20

It’s a privilege to serve you

Pastor Lloyd