25. Fighting for Neverland (John 3:1-1)
Posted by:
SeLahGirl on
November 24, 2007 at
11:38AM EST
Fighting for Neverland
(John 3:1-3)
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the
Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we
know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform
the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
Nicodemus came to Jesus during the night, I have heard this preached as
though he were afraid to be seen with Jesus because his teachings were
so controversial. And that may have been the case. However, could it
have been that he had been at Temple, or just come from a
debate/meeting with the Jewish ruling council, and wanted to speak to
Jesus about some things that were weighing on his heart.
Perhaps, he was coming to give Jesus the benefit of the doubt, and to
ask him what was in his heart when he taught as he did. Perhaps when he
approached him, the Spirit of God began to stir the heart of a man that
was pure in his motives and in his love of God. In his attempt to
understand this controversial Jesus, it would seem that the wooing of
the Spirit made it into a personal encounter for Nicodemus.
Isn't it something wonderful, that here was a member of the Jewish
elite, a Pharisee with great power and influence, someone who walked in
a circle of crusty old arrogant leaders... isn't it beautiful to see
his return to such a child-like faith as he speaks with Christ, as he
learns and hungers to be born again.
I think, Nicodemus
recognized the drift of the people of God, even their leaders, from the
heart of God. I think the heart of the boy inside him longed for a
return to the realness, the joy and innocence of a Faith motivated by
Love and Trust rather than rules and arrogance, power and position. I
think he was intrigued by Jesus, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit
was drawing him to the Christ. Perhaps he came to Jesus by night,
because he could not rest as the hunger for the will/plan of God robbed
him of sleep and caused him to venture out into the night seeking
answers.
We as believers have all been there at some point.
Yes, it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,
unless he humble himself. But that is true of all of us. Here is a man
of wealth and power and reputation hungering and humbled with an almost
desperation to know this Jesus, this anointed One, that seems to speak
the very heart of God. Nicodemus recognized this.
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
BORN AGAIN.
so much imagery wrapped up into one simple phrase.
Dying to self -- Living for Christ.
Dying to who your were, a sinner -- and Living as a Child/Heir of the King.
Dying to the desire to please the world -- Living to please only Him.
From a dead, dying, crusted religion -- to a new beginning, Hope, Life, Freedom, Joy.
No wonder this passage has become the benchmark verse for the new believer.
Talk about Never Never Land and the Lost Boys and Never losing that
child-like Faith in all that is good and free of darkness, where there
are no more tears to be wiped away, no more burdens to carry, no more
regret and dread and guilt and bondage. Every generation seeks that
fountain of youth, that escape to an imaginary place where evil is
shunned and defeated.
But there is a real place, a real
existence, a real eternity in which you can remain that care-free child
growing and always learning and advancing with a Father and Family that
will remain forever with you. Innocent in your Joy and your Faith and
your Love, Mature in your Ability and your Service and your Heritage. A
place that fulfills you in every way, young and old, because Christ has
finished/completed all to make it a reality for you...
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of
Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving
as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God
wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording
it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way be
submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble." 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking
for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because
you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the
same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a
little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and
steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:1-11)
There is no Neverland.
But there is a real Kingdom of God, and there is an enlistment of all
who are willing to fight for it. The battle will be short-lived, but
the victory is guaranteed and the spoils are everything you could
imagine and more.
So many would fight for such a place as Neverland,
Why not do it for a Kingdom that is actually real and offered to you by
a King that loves you and would die for you so that you could inherit
the desires of your heart and His? A King so powerful that he could
pick his life back up, so loving that nothing will ever remove you from
his heart or his hand or his presence?
27My
sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than
all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Be a child again.
The world laughs and scoffs at such a thing.
But God offers you the best of both worlds: Innocence and Maturity
... all wrapped up in one simple gift purchased specifically for you and for me.
He loves us as his children. You are loved. You are loved by God. He
wants to ensure your Health and your Joy and your Future. He is the
Creator and God of all things, and he says that you have his permission
to be child-like...
Come and play.
