Bible Readings: John 3:1-17
People are often heard to say, ‘it’s a sign of the times…’ But what exactly do we mean by this? All too often it’s perhaps not often something that is said when all is well, shall we say. Rather it’s maybe something we say when we’re dismayed about a situation; when we’re maybe despondent and perhaps even when we’re being cynical about something that has happened.
Something we say out of frustration, anger, dismay or whatever…‘it’s a sign of the times…’
And if we were to be asked to say what we think are the signs of the times that we live in today, what would we point to. People struggling to make ends meet. More and more people living on and below the poverty line. People having to choose between heating and food…‘It’s a sign of the times…’
John’s Gospel is itself, not only all about signs – signs that are there to reveal Jesus as the living Son of God, God Incarnate, the revelation of God Himself. It is full of stories of individuals who would apparently wish Jesus to show them some sign.
Of course, in all he says and does, Jesus offers them the obvious sign of his own ministry – at least that’s the way John presents his Gospel narrative. But no-one can be bothered to try and interpret that sign. The only signs that they are interested in are the miraculous healing signs that are such a strongly attested part of Jesus ministry…
But what do they believe they are signs of…Do they think of them as signs of the times…
Are they willing to look beyond the immediate sign itself and see what it might be pointing to, what this sign might herald, the real significance of what Jesus was saying and doing. Or do they see these signs, the miracles, as some kind of quick fix…
Nicodemus hasn’t come to Jesus looking for such a sign, although he has in all probability, already witnessed some of Jesus miracles for himself. Which is maybe why he has already come to his own conclusion that Jesus’ actions are in some way connected with the activity of God.
However, although Nicodemus may have it in his head that Jesus is indeed someone who has come from God. He doesn’t appear to be prepared to take a stance on that. He’s not yet willing to jeopardise his position and status as a leader of the Jews, until he is clear which is the winning side.
Nicodemus maybe thinks that he is backing a potential winner in Jesus, but as of yet he’s not wanting to take any risks in making his views known yet, just in case…
Yet the reality is, Nicodemus doesn’t know that he is seeing – not a sign worker – but God’s own Son. He doesn’t realise that he is standing in the presence, not of someone chosen by God, or even empowered by God. But of God Himself…
And when we’re confronted with the son of God in this way, inexpensive goodwill and qualified acceptance will not do. The luxury of sitting on the side-lines and hedging our bets, of not coming to a decision and taking responsibility for doing so – is not something that Jesus offers.
But what about the world we live in today…
It may be a sign of the times that we live in today where many come to God and to His Son only when they feel they need to, when they have no other option. Then they might come to God to see what He is like – what He can offer them.
But the simple fact is that the only way we can truly know what God is like, the only way that we can truly know what His purposes for us and indeed the world are, is to commit ourselves to the Son of God.
Whose lifting up on the cross was to be the true sign of God’s loving design for each and every one of us.
No matter what he may have thought when he came to Jesus, Nicodemus cannot possibly go home pretending to be baffled or confused by what Jesus said. He surely now has to know that the time for trying to have his cake and eat it has come and gone. He cannot have it both ways, he has to decide…And so do we today…
If we want to know God, to truly know God, then we have to come to Jesus – We have to make that decision…
When we look at the world around us today and see and hear all that is going on there is no doubt that there are many things that we could point to as being signs of the times in our society today. But I wonder if the one sign that we all need to sit up and take notice of is this. That for all the many reasons we might be able to give for the world being the way it is and all these signs of the times that we might talk about.
The one thing that lies at the root of them all is the fact that we have turned away from God.
And as a consequence, today more than ever, we need to look to Jesus Christ. We need to look to His teaching, to His example – and as best we can incorporate this into our way of life. And in saying this, that’s not to over simplify things or make light of so much that is happening in the world today,
But the reality is this, if we looked to the clear signs that Jesus showed himself to be the son of the living God…If we looked to the clear signs that point to Him being our Saviour…If we looked to the clear sign that we need His teaching and example so badly in the world today…
And if we followed those signs, if we allowed them to guide us through our lives and dictate how we should live. Then who knows what might be possible…
Amen…..