Decades ago, when Chuck Colson called his book, “Born Again”, it was part of putting that phrase at the front of popular culture. Everyone heard about, some people understood, some people parodied, the idea of being born again.

Which is, of course, pretty close to what happened one evening somewhere around Jerusalem.

Nicodemus was one of the top religious leaders in the country. For some reason, rather than publicly attacking or debating with Jesus, Nicodemus makes a quiet visit. He’s not interested in the grandstanding, at least not right now. As best as we know, he’s curious, one scholar to another.

I think that this could happen a lot, for people willing to have after-hours conversations about theology, off-line interactions, connections out of the public spotlight. Lots of people have to defend positions publicly, but have private questions, want personal conversations. In short, even public people want to still be people.

Nicodemus  starts by complementing Jesus. This was a difficult conversation to start. He had to start somewhere.

And Jesus responds by telling him that his approach to God isn’t working. Jesus says, “you need to be born from above.” Jesus isn’t interested in  compliments. He isn’t worried about what “everyone” thinks of him. He is more interested in making sure Nicodemus …

hmm. I was going to say, “understands what Jesus is about.” but as I look at the text, I’m not sure that’s the case.

Jesus doesn’t speak clearly to Nicodemus, he paints him metaphors. I read the first half of John 3, the part that even includes John 3:16 and think, “Nicodemus must have been completely confused.”

For example, he takes Jesus literally. Too literally. He argues about the biology of birth.

What’s clear as we start this passage, however, is that Jesus was willing to talk.

Even with Pharisees.