One of my greatest sources of pride is I feel I am fairly smart. Not really of genius level but I have the abilit to adapt quickly and have the desire to know. Probably the greatest insult to me is to question my intelligence. I know I’m sounding really conceded right now, but hey its best to be honest. And that’s what I think about myself right or wrong. So as I imagine the passage of John 3:1-13, I imagine the personality of Nicodemus. Jesus basicaly insulted this guy. He is a pharisee which in todays terms he’d have a phd in some form of ethical/religious studies. He was not uneducated by any means. Yet Jesus didn’t study under any of the teacher known by Nicodemus so I would probably have to question Jesus as well if I were in his shoes.
The thing is Jesus really doesn’t let Nicodemus ask his question but really cuts right in to show the lacking knowledge of Nicodemus. I believe Nicodemus approached this insult on his inteligence much better than I would have.
What was the insult? “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” Not exactly an insult to most people but if one is priding themselves in their knowledge then questioning that knowledge is insulting.
As I have matured I have come to realize I don’t know much. And that it is better to listen to other people than to attempt to teach them something right off. I love to learn and I will for as long as I can. But Jesus does challenge me and almost insults me here. How and of who am I gaining my knowledge? And what do I use it for.
True knowledge is the love of God. And to seek Him is to seek wisdom. But we can know a lot and be very far from God relationally. This is what Jesus points out. We have to have the Spirit of God activly working in and with us, while at the same time connecting us to God. Embracing that Spirit connects us, allows us to gain knowledge, and inspires us to pursue the passions of God. Yet often we neglect this Light within and instead pursue the opposite, which drives us farther from Christ.
Today conider what you find insulting, and where you are seeking knowledge.
Pray that the Spirit of God wil grant you the grace of wisdom and a deeper relationship with Jesus.
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