Aside from changing ourselves, one of the most challenging things to do, is change the perspective about some teaching we have been taught all our lives. This was the subject that we talked about today in Sunday School. The Pharisees, when you hear this what comes to mind? Individuals who are power hungry, sneaky and sly? That is certainly the perspective one gets through the mainstream christian church. While they completely missed the teachings of Jesus, in the day, they were well respected members of the community. In his day, Jesus was the individual who was though of as the trouble maker.
What are we to make of Nicodemus' nighttime visit to Jesus, described in John 3:1-11? Take the story and reread it thinking the Nicodemus' is part of the "in crowd." It changes some of the perspective. Jesus, even talking to one of the leaders of the Pharisees does not change his message, sugar coat it, or minimize it in any way. Nicodemus is met with the response, "Very Truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
No comments:
Post a Comment