Mysterious

Quite a long section for today, but it is important to take in the whole conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. What deep things Jesus says! The "teacher of Israel" falls completely silent at the end (after verse 9). Don't you find that striking?

Nicodemus is sincerely seeking. As a scholar (teacher), he wants to know.

"Mysteries are not easy for a scholar..." Jesus tells him in this episode. Do you recognize that?

On Day 1 of this reading plan, we reflected on that for a while. Remember Jesus' statement about the wind? Ruach?

I was reminded of a similar story in John 9. Jesus is with His disciples on-the-road, and they come across a blind man.

The disciples ask Jesus a question and you notice that they assume their own "ratio." They ask, "Who sinned, him or his parents?" In other words, there must be a logical reason for this blindness, and we look for that reason in sin. So the question is: who committed this sin? Do you follow the reasoning?

Jesus puts something wonderful in response, and I think that is a lesson for us too.

His answer is: "He did not sin, nor did his parents, but this happened so that the works of God might be revealed in him."

In other words, this happens so that God's work in him can become visible. This does not answer the "mystery" of the situation, but it does give it a "purpose"—namely, to make God visible.

Perhaps, like Nicodemus, we may learn to live with the mystery and seek how to give God the glory in those situations.

At a difficult time in my own life, I heard this maxim: "Every situation has within it the possibility and potential to glorify God." Isn't that a cool perspective?

Take the following questions to think about:

• What mysteries are there in your life right now?
• How do you deal with those mysteries?
• What do you think about the statement, "Every situation has the possibility and potential to glorify God?"
• Is there a situation in your life where for a moment you don't see how something beautiful can come out of it? How can you give this situation to God and trust Him to turn it into a testimony for Him?

Prayer:

"Lord, what You do is often far beyond my thinking. You are God, and I am only human. Help me to give You glory and make You great in every situation. Help me to live with the mystery. Help me Lord, to walk humbly with You, practicing love, and doing justice. Amen."