1. Introduction

Last Sunday: “Worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve!” and “Lent – a time of Life Renewal!”

There is an epic battle being waged between the forces of good, the forces of love, the forces of God and the forces of evil, the forces of greed and the forces of devil. As Christians, we clearly know whom to worship and as long as we do that, worshipping God, our lives on earth are set on a clear course that will lead us to Eternal Life!

One of the ways of worshipping God and living in his presence is nourishing a life of prayer in our Christian lives. That is where the Lent Course this year comes in. It is prayer that leads us to make sense of this life and that which leads us to communion with God and be successful in our Christian life.

2. Encounters with Jesus

The gospels speak of numerous encounters of people with Jesus. Each of these meetings have a lot to speak to us. Every encounter with Jesus is an invitation and challenge to greater faith and commitment to him. It is a ‘once in a life-time’ call to conversion of heart and life. Some of the outstanding ones are the following:

The rich young man – Luke 18. 18-23; Zachaeus – Luke 19. 1-10; Peter walking on water – Matthew 14. 22-33; Bartimaeus – Mark 10. 46-52. In today’s gospel reading we have another major encounter with Jesus, this time it is Nicodemus who comes to Jesus. (John 3. 1-21)

3. The encounter of Nicodemus with Jesus – “You must be born anew!” (John 3.7)

Today the key verse that strikes us in this meeting of Nicodemus with Jesus is “You must be born anew!”

This is another of Jesus’ radical and very powerful statements. “You must be born anew!” (John 3.7) “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3.3)What does the Lord want to tell us with these words?

What do you understand by these words? “You must be born anew!” What does it mean for us? (Ask questions to the congregation, give mike to anyone who wants to respond)

Nicodemus meets with Jesus in the night. It is quite an exceptional and enigmatic meeting and conversation. The conversation is marked by important teachings especially in verses 7 and verses 16. Nicodemus was a Jew and a leader in his community probably as a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin which was like a Jewish local council.

Unlike most Pharisees who hated Jesus because he threatened the religious status quo, Nicodemus was one who most probably quietly admired Jesus and had seen the signs that Jesus had worked and he complements Jesus. But Jesus invites Nicodemus to a deeper dialogue and commitment, you may be good person and live a good life but to belong to eh Kingdom of God you need to be born anew! (John 3.7). 

Nicodemus had to move out of his comfort areas and familiar habits and accept the truth about God who was doing a new thing in sending his son to save the world…. Nicodemus, a good Jew, had to become a good follower of Christ.

Nicodemus needed a conversion of heart, a spiritual re-birth, he just couldn’t remain indifferent any longer to the summons of God and of his heart. In short, Jesus challenges Nicodemus to the radical step of “faith”, to believe in him publicly and in his heart and not just admire him as a silent witness.

The encounter with Nicodemus is similar to the one Jesus had with a rich young man (Luke 18.18-23) who came to him asking : “Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” But when Jesus challenged him to see beyond his material wealth and comforts, the young man walked away unable to make a stand for Jesus by becoming his follower.

Most of us are like Nicodemus. We look at Jesus with admiration. We live a good life. But we do not make a fundamental, life-changing option for Christ. This is our problem and the problem of the world.

That is why Jesus’ dramatic words to Nicodemus is the most quoted verse of the entire bible: “”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.” (John 3.16) It all comes down to faith – to “believe” in Jesus Christ, the Son of God as Saviour!

4. “You must be born anew!” (John 3.3)

There are so many examples of testimony and witness of people who have met Jesus and commit their life to Christ. All of us know of such people.

Wherever you are in your life as of today, Jesus is telling you too today – “You must be born anew!” The message is absolutely apt for the season of Lent as a time of Life Renewal! It is a time to be born anew in our christian life!

So Lent is not just about giving up your favourite chocolate or your favourite drink or your favourite dish – it is rather about turning your back on your old self that is going nowhere and about making a right about turn to go to God.

• It is about returning to God.
• It is about believing in him utterly.
• It is about renewing your spiritual lives.
• It is about radical conversion of life to a new life of meaning and relevance.
• That is what Jesus tells Nicodemus : “You must be born anew!”
  • But how do we do that?
  • How can we be spiritually re-born?
  • How can we undergo a spiritual conversion to God?

Let me just remind you again of one habit that you can begin to cultivate in this Lent so as to be born anew. It is the habit of reading God’s Word and daily prayer, prayer not only as speaking to God and thinking of him but above all prayer as loving, silent loving.

St John of the Cross says that “the language that God understands best is the silent language of love”. Prayer is that silent love of communion in God. It is powerfully communicating with God by loving silently. It is prayer that is a loving union and silent love in your heart.

Everyone is called to contemplate, not all are called to be contemplatives and monks! If you can find God’s dimension in your life and work you are already praying. Those who love God, everything works together unto their advantage.” (Romans 8.28)

5. Conclusion

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to face oneself and make some fundamental choices. It is a time of life renewal! It is a time to encounter Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and to commit your life into his hands! “You must be born anew!” (John 3.7)

6. Let us pray

As you told us in Jesus, “You must be born anew” we pray for grace to renounce our addictions to sin, our idols, our faithlessness in following Jesus Christ, our spiritual laziness and our lack of fervour and ardour in our faith. Help us Lord, with your Holy Spirit, to be born anew spiritually by renouncing our bad habits and embracing a new life in Christ. Amen.

[ST Mattapally]