Season 5 - Episode 21

To listen to an audio version of this post, visit www.covenantchurch.ca/podcasts/covenant-weekly.

Good Morning, Covenant Family. After Sunday’s message, am I the only one who wants to visit Boston Pizza on Tuesday evening to try to eavesdrop on some conversations? I appreciate Joel sharing his insight and inviting us to ask ourselves some really important questions related to how Jesus changes our lives and the impact that has on the world around us. As I’ve continued to consider the text of John 3, I’ve also been considering some of the events of our world. My newsfeed has been dominated by the actions and tragedies in the United States. I’d like to believe that Canada is far from the reality they are experiencing, but I don’t think that 10 years ago most Americans could have imagined what we are witnessing. Some still deny it despite graphic and horrifying video evidence. Or worse, they excuse it, defend it, or even celebrate it. My goal with this is not to get political. I don’t think it is a political statement to say that I don’t believe that people should be gunned down in the street. As I’ve thought about John 3, I’ve been thinking about some of what has led to this point and what we can commit to to avoid perpetuating it. Nicodemus sets an example for us that I’d like to consider briefly in this Covenant Weekly for January 27, 2026.

The record of the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus begins with these words in John 3:1-2a:

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night…

Nicodemus was a Pharisee. When we read the Gospels, no one else is as sure of themselves, as certain in knowledge, and defiant in their convictions as the Pharisees. They knew what was true. They were the ones with the answers. Debate was built into Jewish religious culture, but debate wasn’t the same as humility and genuine inquiry. The Pharisees were not known for either of those things.

And yet, Nicodemus came to Jesus to ask, to learn, to understand. He came seeking. I’m not sure if he knew exactly what he was looking for, but something told him that he could find it in Jesus. Despite his certainty, despite his conviction, despite his confidence, he came seeking Truth and he came to Jesus.

In our divided world, which seems to me to be increasingly divided, we have a tendency to engage only with those we agree with. This can happen on purpose, but just as likely it happens because the social algorithm feeds us things we’ve already engaged with. When we do engage with those we disagree with it is to defend our view, criticize the view of others, or worse, to condemn the other person. Nicodemus goes against the grain of his community and comes to Jesus genuinely seeking. That’s an example we all can learn from.

Notice that Nicodemus isn’t going out of his way to listen well to those he disagrees with just for the sake of listening. This isn’t a Pharisee listening to a Sadducee, Essene (unless you’re of the belief that Jesus was formed among the Essenes), or even a Roman to learn. Nicodemus comes to Jesus because he can tell that what Jesus does and offers the world is aligned with God.

The invitation here is to bring our convictions, theology, and ideas to Jesus. The invitation is to remain open to learn and change and grow because we see God at work and because we are led there by Jesus. Too many people claiming to be Christians have decided what they believe and no engagement with Jesus or even with people of Christlike character can convince them. When confronted with a thought outside of our convictions we debate or defend rather than sit with the questions with Jesus.

Let me be clear. Some things that are being argued in the name of Jesus ARE NOT in line with the teaching and character of Jesus and our engagement with those things doesn’t need to go any further than that awareness. Many people are acting in ways that clearly conflict with the heart of Jesus. I’m not sure that we’re well served to spend our energy trying to relate to those behaviours. Sometimes, after very little time sitting with Jesus, we can call a spade a spade and move on.

But often, we need to set aside our first instinct to defend - defend our conviction, defend ourselves, or, as I was told to do growing up, defend God. Rather we should sit with Jesus, even bringing our deepest held convictions to the one who is God revealed, and explore them, ask questions, and be open to being changed.

This can be challenging. In some contexts, being changed by coming to Jesus has been labeled “deconstruction.” There’s a whole industry within the Christian world warning people against any kind of deconstruction. But if what we’ve held to with deep conviction doesn’t align with Jesus’ teaching, example, sacrifice, and resurrection, it needs to be deconstructed. In other contexts people get criticized for “going religious.” But if by “going religious” people mean responding to the love and grace of Jesus and being changed to be more like him, most of us need more of that kind of religion in our lives.

Notice that this first meeting with Nicodemus came at night. And Jesus doesn’t condemn that. He meets him there. A few chapters later, we read about Nicodemus calling on other Pharisees to not judge Jesus without hearing him. By the time of the crucifixion, he is openly helping arrange for Jesus’ burial. What starts in the night becomes more and more public.

My hope and prayer is that in our community you always feel comfortable openly sitting with Jesus with your questions, and that you feel free to change as engaging with Jesus changes you. But I can’t presume that’s the case. Nicodemus gives us an example of seeking Jesus, and even his story has him coming at night and growing over time. Sit with Jesus. Come to him, humbly asking and listening, and see where he leads you. Even if your seeking starts in the dark, listening, reading, and studying when no one knows, come and sit with Jesus.