Eyes of Faith

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. ²He 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.” ³Jesus 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?” ⁵Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. ⁶What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ ⁸The 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.” ⁹Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” ¹⁰Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?”

John 3:1-10

Jesus was a powerful teacher who brought new and groundbreaking insights to the people he met. Time and time again, people left an encounter with Jesus amazed, astounded, and often confused. Jesus spoke God's truth to the people, but they often missed the point. This explains why people missed the whole point of Jesus' coming and the could not grasp the meaning of his teachings.


Nicodemus exemplifies this disconnect, or spiritual blindness, in his encounter with Jesus. He comes to Jesus at night, which makes sense because as a Pharisee he wouldn't want anyone to know he was there. The imagery also suggests the lack of spiritual sight Nicodemus had in being able to understand what God was doing through Jesus. He comes not to aggressively challenge Jesus' teachings or authority, but with a genuine curiosity and desire to understand. Jesus speaks the truth to Nicodemus, but Nicodemus cannot handle it. To see the kingdom of God implies being able to see God at work in the world, which requires understanding who Jesus is and what God is up to. If Nicodemus (and others) see the signs and wonders Jesus performed, but still do not have faith how could they understand?

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. ¹²If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. ¹⁴And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ¹⁶“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. ¹⁷Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:11-17



Nicodemus, like many, is seeking to understand God rationally or logically. This is his stumbling block. It is not that God is irrational or illogical, it is simply our human limitations do not allow us to understand God's ways. Nicodemus can see there is something special about what Jesus is doing, but because it does not conform to his prior understandings of God he struggles to believe. He stumbles because he is trying to think his way to new faith, rather than faith (it is a verb now) his way to new thinking.


St. Anselm, and 11th century theologian and bishop, described the intersection of reason and faith as "faith seeking understanding." This implies faith is a starting place for understanding the world. Faith helps us see the world in a new way that unlocks the mysteries of creation. Faith seeks understanding, rather than understanding seeking faith. This is what keeps Nicodemus from believing Jesus and is a story I can relate to as well.


In college I struggled mightily to understand God in order to believe. It didn't work for me and many have similarly struggled. Faith comes not from the head but from the heart. God touches our heart in a way we cannot always explain or describe. With Faith, I can explore the world and seek knowledge in ways that not only makes sense but discovers the harmony and rhythm embedded in this beautiful world God created. I can see God at work in my life and the world, and this knowledge continue to enliven and enrich my faith. May God touch our hearts and open our eyes to see, believe and understand!


Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart and let me see your work in my life. Help me to see and understand, trusting in your love, mercy and grace. In Jesus' name, AMEN.