There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him. "Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. "Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he? "Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above. 'The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Reflection
It seems as if Nicodemus was scared or afraid, since he came to Jesus at night. Nicodemus, being a Pharisee, would know about things of God, yet he comes to Jesus with questions. Jesus has been teaching and Nicodemus has been listening. He calls Jesus Rabbi, which means that Nicodemus must believe that he is from God. Nicodemus is different than all the other Pharisees, his heart is not entirely against Jesus like the others, yet there is fear. What does he have to fear? Losing his status in life? Rejection and ridicule?
Has Nicodemus had a change of heart just by listening to the Words of Christ?
Bringing this to our lives today, do we actually listen to the Words of Christ in the Gospel to inspire a change of heart? Are we cultivating a relationship with Jesus? What is our fear?
The decision is ours, do we want to follow Jesus and be His disciple?
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