This Blog Post is the gospel excerpt of Week 2 of the Lenten Bible Study I'm writing for Good News Adult Sunday School Class at Ashford United Methodist Church. We will study this lesson together on March 20, 2011. If you would like to have the entire 5-day Bible Study, for your own study or for a small group, which integrates all four lectionary passages see the sidebar E-Blast for a link to my email address. Send me an email and I'll send you a full printer-friendly PDF File as an attachment each week of Lent. Thanks!
The season of Lent has been characterized by some as a journey to Jerusalem and the Cross. The Labyrinth, too, has been used as a way to envision the journey to Jerusalem and the Cross as a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a physical journey with a spiritual purpose. There is a song we sing these days called The Servant Song. It begins “We are pilgrims on a journey.”
- How has your spiritual life been like a journey?
- How has your community of faith been a part of your life journey?
This week we observe Nicodemus and his encounter with Jesus. Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of the temple. He was a "leader of the Jews." We can determine from all of this information that he was a powerful and influential person in the Jewish community.
Read John 3:1-17 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 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." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
As we take this Lenten journey, we are using the movements of the Labyrinth to structure our study.
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| Outdoor Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco July 2009 |
Perhaps Nicodemus has been circling the outer edges of the Labyrinth of Life for quite some time. Perhaps he haS begun to feel like there was “something more” to the spiritual life than influence and power. Perhaps he has been watching Jesus and listening to others tell about the miraculous healings of Jesus, his wise teaching moments, and his powerful preaching events. Nicodemus may have struggled for quite awhile before he was able to take that first step toward God in Christ. Perhaps he was afraid. Finally, unable to resist the persistent call held deeply within his soul, he enters the dark of the night … he steps into the Labyrinth of Life seeking God in the unknown.
- Have you been circling the outer edges of the Labyrinth of Life for awhile, afraid to go deeper?
- Have you ever wondered if there is more to the spiritual life than what you have experienced so far?
- Is it time for you to take a step into the unknown?
Christian mystics often use darkness as a metaphor for “unknowing.” As we join Nicodemus on his journey through the darkness to approach the center, of the labyrinth we RELEASE. We surrender ourselves to God. Many people find release, meaning to let go to be the greatest obstacle we face as we embrace our “call” and respond in obedience. And yet, we must overcome great obstacles, and we must be obedient to the call that we have discerned in order to grow and mature in our spirituality and the life we live as Christians. Nicodemus “came to Jesus by night.” As you read this passage closely with an openness to what is revealed to you, it is ok to use your imagination as you ponder …
- What are some of the things that Nicodemus had to surrender in order to enter this dark of the night, also known as the “unknowing?” What do you need to surrender to God?
- What did Nicodemus refuse to give up, so that he might come in the light of day? Is there anything in your life that you are having a hard time leaving behind in order to move forward on your journey?
- When we come to the center of the labyrinth, we pause and RECEIVE. What did Nicodemus receive from God? What is it that you desire to receive from God?
After we receive, we get up and travel the same path out that we came in. As we walk, we ponder and gather the strength we need to RESPOND to God in obedience. As we leave our labyrinth experience, we enter the world changed as we manifest our response to God. Often we feel as if we have been “reborn.” How do you think Nicodemus was changed by his encounter with Jesus? (See John 7:45-52 and 19:38-42)
Perhaps the call to seek God in the unknown resonates with you ... but perhaps it doesn’t. I invite you to spend some time thinking about where you sense the deepest call on your life this week. As you seek to “respond to God’s call” are there any actions that you will commit to as a result of your study this week?
If art is a pathway to God for you, check out The Life of Jesus Mafa Website which are a coherent set of African illustrations of the Gospel. Take the link for the illustration of Jesus and Nicodemus.
If music is a pathway to God for you, I have to say the music this week was hard to find ... I finally chose 2 different videos of In the Secret. The first one is a worship version with lyrics by Joel Engle and the 2nd is a hard and fast version by Sonic Flood.
Remember ... If you would like to receive the full 5-day printer-friendly PDF version with all 4 lectionary readings integrated, see the Email Blast sidebar for email link. Email me and I'll put you on my weekly distribution list. Thanks!
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