Father Riley's homily from Christ Episcopal, Bastrop, March 8, 2020

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…As directed by Bishop Jake Owensby, Christ Episcopal, Saint Joseph, will suspend services until at least March29, 2020.

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 LENT II - A - 20                          JOHN 3. 1-17

One of the characteristics of Saint John’s gospel that sets it apart from the others is his contrast of light and darkness that runs throughout his writing. You may recall that in the prologue to his gospel, John states that Jesus is both light and life, and the light shines in the darkness of the world and the darkness did not overcome it.

Another translation has the word comprehend or understand as opposed to overcome. The Pharisee Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. He came in the dark, for he was in the dark, as we say, in regards to his full understanding of Jesus as the light who had come into the world.

Darkness to Saint John means both spiritual ignorance and satanic opposition to the light. Nicodemus is not opposed to Jesus; he just does not fully understand whom he is and what he is all about. He begins the dialogue with Christ by complementing him. “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God…”

He has a weak faith, compared to that of Abram in today’s first lesson. He was afraid to be seen talking to Jesus because of what his peers might think. Therefore, he comes to Jesus by night. Jesus responds to the Pharisee’ compliment with a spiritual challenge.

“No one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.” Not only is Nicodemus in the dark about Christ’ true identity but now he is unable to comprehend what Jesus is saying about being born from above. That is what Jesus means by being born again.

So, no Nicodemus cannot see the kingdom for he is too focused on earthly meanings. He has both feet firmly planted in this world. His idea of God’s kingdom is based on what he knows about earthly kings and kingdoms. He misunderstands and questions the possibility of a second physical birth.

Jesus is presenting a totally new and radical idea that Nicodemus struggles to grasp, as do many today, that is, being born again. First, Jesus tells him that no one can even see the kingdom without being born again.

 Now he tells him that “no on can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” What is going on here?

Christ uses the opportunity to elevate an idea from superficial or earthly meaning to a heavenly and spiritual one. The challenge continues. “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 of everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus responds with “how can these things be?” A person must first grasp the ways in which God works among mankind before he can begin to understand things that pertain to God himself. How do we do that?

Our individual knowledge of God is based on our level of faith. Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher. However, that was as far as his faith could take him at this juncture.

[His faith and belief in Jesus grows after this exchange. Later he would defend Jesus before the Sanhedrin (7. 50, 51) and would finally make a bold public expression of faith in asking for the body of Jesus in order to prepare it for entombment (19. 39-42).]

For most of us, our faith is more like that of Nicodemus rather than Abram. That is, one step forward and two steps back. Having made a bold first step, meeting with Jesus, he now balks at going forward. “How can these things be? “ He can’t “see” the kingdom. He only sees the world he lives in.

Jesus, however, is the ladder that connects heaven to earth and earth to heaven. “If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

Abram was given a promise from God that he would make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. “Abraham believed God.” His belief was based on his faith in God’s promise. Jesus makes the promise that whoever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life. Christ’s promise is based on love.

Believing in Jesus means coming to the light. Not believing means remaining in the darkness.

When I was a child, my mother took me to the Circus. What a wonderful experience for a boy of ten. Three rings of fantastic performances, wild animals and trapeze artists that boggled the mind. One of the small acts that were conducted between the major attractions was that of the famous circus clown, Emmet Kelly Jr.

The house lights went out. In the center ring only a small spot of light was focused on the canvas floor. Kelly could be seen standing next to the light. He stood there with a broom in hand and attempted to sweep the light into a dustpan. As he swept the light became smaller and smaller but never quite disappeared.

Just when he though he had it totally removed, it would appear again larger than before. He would go on to try to remove it several more times and each time he tried, it would become larger until the whole ring was bright with light.

Darkness can never over power the light of Christ, nor can it understand the way of love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son…” The crucifixion was always part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world; a sign of God’s great love, not only for Israel but for the whole world.

In him was both light and life, Saint John wrote of Jesus, and the light shines in the darkness of the world, and the darkness has not overcome it.  “Those who by God’s gracious gift have become his children, born again from above of his Holy Spirit, possess Christ within themselves to illuminate and recreate them…”

Being born of water and the Spirit (baptism) is but the beginning of the journey to God with its goal being entrance into the kingdom. With the eyes of faith, we begin to understand the ways of God, and like Abram, we learn to trust in God and believe in His promises.

That does not mean that we will always go forward without questioning, or that we will not balk on occasion. But it does mean that if we embrace and hold fast to the unchangeable truth of God’s Word, Jesus Christ, we will not only see the kingdom, but will inherit it through Christ’ promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him; a promise based on Love. AMEN+