hidden but not wasted!

       
By Joyce Pelletier
     John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very Truly I tell you; no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Nicodemus came to Jesus one night with a deep determining question. He was a man of great wealth. He was a member of the Jewish Ruling council. He had to have thought of his question for some time.
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     Finally one night he went to Jesus at night. One might wonder why he would choose to do so in such a hidden manner. Was there something he was trying to hide from? Was it pure curiosity or just a passing in the night question?

     On a quick side note. During our Tuesday Zoom group, the word hidden came up in a questioning moment. This word comes up frequently in God’s Word and now our conversation. ‘The word ‘Hidden’ seems like a devious or secretive description. Not necessarily so! In God’s word it comes up so we know there is something deeper in the meaning of what we share for digging deeper. Sometimes it means that something is hidden because it might be a pleasant surprise. Maybe it is hidden because it’s a painful experience and we don’t want to talk about it. Most of what I see in the Word is there is a deeper meaning of something important that God wants us to know. This puts many new twists in its meaning. It sure can bring up a deeper meaning as we share. It comes up mainly as something surprisingly special or good.

      Nicodemus was well off. He had all he needed in life. He had an open and hungry heart. He had a prominent position that certainly didn’t need an official announcement. He was deeply curious about a new term in their culture that needed clarity and stature. He also was hungry to know the deeper things of God. From what I read about him, he was educated and understood the law and had a tremendous force inside stretching him to the point of just needing to know. I relate to this. I’m an active, nosey, and curious kind of person. Sometimes ‘I need to know.’ At times God humors me and lets me know and then I find out that it’s just not what I thought it would be. Being curious isn’t always what you expect, and quite often when I let God do the planning to tell me, it’s a better situation. I really like surprises, so one would think it was better to wait on God.  

     “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher, who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus simply and directly replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  Could he have been saying “Things are hidden because some are not willing to accept those hidden things of God or we’re just not ready to hear something yet. God just might be preparing us for a new beginning of being born again. Sometimes when things just don’t work, we welcome a second chance with we miss the boat the first time. And maybe it’s just that we need to experience things that we just can’t predict.
 
     There’s that word again… Born again. This term wasn’t shared much in the time of this conversation. It was a new reference and this hidden term needed to make it’s appearance. 

     Boldly, Nicodemus asked, ‘How can someone be born again, when they are old? Surely, they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb!’ He made some great points. I would have liked to meet Nicodemus.
     
     Jesus answers as only He could answer. “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the  kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

     Nicodemus is somewhat beside himself. He had everything he needed and yet there was a new hunger inside him that boggled his mind.

     I often contemplate being born again. I’ve been so blessed to have Jesus as my Lord. I continue to see wonder in being born again, especially when new hidden things come to the surface to surprise me. The new life that Jesus gave me so many years ago is something reveals the hunger to know more about the amazing hidden things of God. I know it is that never ending joy he gives us as a free gift. Just because he loves us.

     John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. We are not condemned, but here is an offering that gives us a chance to understand it’s true meaning of being born again.  Bible study that day taught us what the meaning of ‘what is hidden’ isn’t cheating, or lies, it’s a new joy of rebirth and a better way to learn the depth of God’s love. I love learning new and wonderful things. When I need correction and God reveals that to me in using ‘hidden’ ways, I can look at things with an open heart and accept the correction, not as condemnation, but as His forgiving promise. Pray with me…
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     Jesus, continue to show those amazing ‘hidden things in my life. Help me to embrace them to make me more conscious of your amazing love. Help me to bring this awareness with me wherever I go. In your precious name, AMEN!