Feeling Lost
Feeling Lost
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night… (John 3:1-2)
Yesterday, we explored the affiliation and the name of our of the man who goes to Jesus by night. Both elements, we said, have a considerable significance in how his story unfolds. Presented concisely and with subtlety, the value of this information can easily be missed. This brings us to our third crucial element in the story.
His Social Status:
Nicodemus is “a leader of the Jews.” We discover in John 7 this actually means that he is a member of the Sanhedrin (or the ruling council of seventy key elders from the Jewish people).
Religious and political, these leaders make vital decisions in the Sanhedrin on behalf of their diverse and widespread Jewish community. And Jews were spread all across the Mediterranean world, so this was a big deal.
From his affiliation, his name and his social status, we can quickly discern both who he is and how he is. He’s well-off, well-connected, well known, and well-bred. He has most everything a man of that day could want. He’s been ambitious. He’s become successful.
But now we discover a final, vital piece of information: He came to Jesus by night (John 3:2).
In John’s Gospel, such a description is not merely referring to a time of day. Throughout John, the author uses light and dark to symbolize spiritual realities. This is why this phrase offers us a new final clue.
His State of Being:
As I mentioned in my sermon this past Sunday, Nicodemus might have come to Jesus by night in part to keep from being seen by his peers. Yet he easily could have sent an emissary to ask Jesus questions and to bring back answers.
Rather, John offers us an example of an ambitious man, a successful man, a man at the top of this game and the pinnacle of status – and yet he is in the dark. He is missing something. Or, in the words of a woman in one of my classes when I asked about Nicodemus’ condition, she shouted out: “He’s lost!”
Maybe so. And perhaps you also know how this feels.
Many of us can remember the days before GPS and Google Maps, needing to get to a particular place, but meandering aimlessly on some country road. We were fairly certain where we needed to go, we just couldn’t figure out how to get there.
In times like these, it’s not necessarily that we were bad, or wrong. We were just in the wrong place and had bad directions. And we couldn’t find the right way out of our lostness.
This appears to be Nicodemus. He was aware that all was not as it should be. Given his success and accomplishments, all should have been well. His life should have had meaning.
My friend declared he was lost. John says it only a bit differently: he was in the dark. Something is not right. He came to Jesus by night.
Where do you feel lost in your life?
Today, consider what might not be right in your life. Meditate on anything you feel God might be trying to tell you. With all the uncertainty surrounding all of us right now, is there anything of particular discomfort you need to think more deeply about?
Share with a trusted friend. Make time for opportunities that add to your life and intellect and wisdom. Read good books and think deep thoughts. Listen to good music. Visit a museum (12 World-Class Museums You Can Visit Online). Deepen your friendships. Make time for moderate exercise. Experience the changing world around you.
And while doing even just a few of these, be aware of God’s still, small voice speaking within you.
We’ll share more of this more tomorrow. For today, perhaps this is the beginning of an entirely new journey for you. May it be an exciting one – Nicodemus.
CONSIDER:
In all you ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
Dr. David Jordan is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Decatur. He is author of several books and regularly contributes to Baptist News Global.