Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, January 23, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: We are an intricate blend of flesh (shame) and spirit (healing)—our spirits can be strengthened when we bring our shame to light for forgiveness and healing.
There is a refreshing vulnerability in Jesus’ exchange with Nicodemus. Nicodemus approached Jesus, not to accuse him, but to learn from him. He came at night so he might not be seen by those opposed to Jesus’ message. Then he asked human questions of a divine Lord. Of course, he would not be able to fully comprehend Jesus’ words (nor can we). But Jesus responded to the tenderness and willingness Nicodemus showed by speaking a complicated truth as innocently as possible. It was probably a little like trying to explain death to a child—even if we could understand it ourselves, it would be quite a task trying to explain it to an undeveloped mind.
Despite the mysteries in Jesus’ words, there are some truths we can grasp onto. We can cling to the promise that a spiritual life is possible. Jesus spoke cryptically about the flesh and the spirit, but we can sense that a spiritual life contains more hope than a flesh-seeking life. The things of the flesh are those things that we spend tremendous energy hiding in the dark—those things we hope no one will ever know, those things we try so hard to ignore or forget. But the things of the spirit thrive in the light—the things we are proud of, the things we want Jesus to see and to say, “I’m proud of you, too.”
We all have an intricate blending of both the things of the flesh and the things of the spirit. Ironically, the things of darkness hold less power over us when we bring them to light. Those things that cause us the most shame fester in the darkness, but heal in the light. When we muster the courage to risk sharing those things, the outcome is often forgiveness and healing, and our spirits are strengthened and nurtured.