Nicodemus Asks Good Questions – 5 March 2023

John 3:1–17

In a selection charged with irony and many levels of insight, a narrative dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus dissolves into a Christological discourse. When we are told that Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of Jews (3:2), and a teacher of Israel (3:10), comes to Jesus (the light of the world, John 1:4, 9) at night, there can be no doubt Jesus will offer enlightenment.

. . . Jesus links anew and from above as a way of indicating that one must be transformed to see God's kingdom. Jesus considers this as birth by the Spirit that like wind comes and goes without harness. It would be appropriate to recognize that in his call to birth in the Spirit, Jesus is presenting us with a female image for God. Nicodemus, however, takes anōthen to mean “again” and asks how one could literally be reborn.

. . . In this episode, Nicodemus' understanding of Jesus is inadequate. However, Nicodemus continues to appear in John's gospel. He challenges the chief priests and Pharisees, insisting they are called not to judge Jesus without a hearing (7:50–51). In the end, Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea in removing Jesus from the cross and tending to his burial with abundant ointment (19:38–42); ultimately, he became a true follower.

In this passage, we find remembrances of the Jesus of history and the challenges to the early church when it was expelled by the synagogue. –– Regina Boisclair

Romans 4:1–5, 13–17

This passage falls in the first part of the body of Romans in which Paul argues that both gentiles and Jews are in need of God's salvation. It presents a central feature of Paul's theology: through faith in God's gospel of Jesus Christ, one enters into a right relationship with God. This reading links with the first reading from Genesis and explains Abraham's relationship to Christians.

The selection likens Christian faith to Abraham's trust in God's promises. Paul claims that those who have faith are the true descendants of Abram and heirs to the promises.

In unfolding his understanding Paul states that if one were to consider that Abraham's descendants are only those who follow the law, this would be to assume that faith is irrelevant and God's promises void. . . By stressing that the promises to Abraham and his descendents were based on faith, Paul identifies Abraham as the father of those who have faith in Christ, God's Gospel. –– Regina Boisclair

Genesis 12:1–4a

The story of God's call of Abram marks the beginning of the story of God's relationship with the family who will come to be identified as the people of Israel. God's call to Abram to move away from homeland and family is accompanied with promises of posterity, prominence, as provenance of blessings to all nations.

. . . This story conveys the idea that Lent is God's call to leave aside the familiar and to seek where and how God leads. God's promises to Abram are God's assurance that blessings come to those who do what they sense to be God's call; it also suggests that the world is also enriched by those who follow their call by God. –– Regina Boisclair

Regina Boisclair, a Roman Catholic biblical scholar, is Emerita Professor at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska.

Homily Service 41, no. 2 (2008): 30–41.