The Change in Nicodemus - Family Reflection Video

My name is Nicodemus. My name means I was a victor among the people. One night my wife asked where I was going. "Out," I said. "You know the Pharisees. It's urgent."

She said, "But Nicodemus, it's midnight. Is it that young troublemaker again? You haven't been yourself since you heard about Jesus. You said He was dangerous."

"No, He's not. Yes, He is. I don't know. I must talk to Him myself. Face-to-face."

My wife responded, "He spends time with lepers, criminals, outsiders, prostitutes, and sinners. You know them. They're not ours. Nicodemus, be careful."

With that, I slipped into the night. Jesus was easy to find. As my wife noted, He always had a crowd around Him.

He first appeared in our temple with His whip, acting deranged, knocking over tables, spilling coins on the floor, and screaming nonsense about rebuilding our magnificent temple. We all laughed! He was dangerous but fascinating as well.

I came at night to see Him. My reputation must be protected. Around a charcoal fire, He gathered His "disciples" - an unlikely bunch.

The charcoal fire lit up our faces. There was something special about His eyes. Could you tell me what it was? Is it urgency? Is it love? Like He had been waiting my whole life to tell me a secret.

Despite my compliments, He ignored me. A finger was pointed at my chest as He said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

The message was clear, emphatic, and authoritative: "You cannot see the kingdom of God unless you are born again from above." He was young, I was seasoned. I came from the center of influence, He came from the margins. Suddenly, He became the dominant force.

Within minutes of our first meeting, He was trying to convert me!

"Is it possible for an old man to be born again?" I asked. "Is he capable of entering his mother's womb again?" Sure, it was sarcastic and cynical. But part of it was serious. I knew the Bible stories of God intervening, doing miracles, breathing new life into dry bones, and giving new hearts to our people.

What about me, a respected leader? I do my duty. A good person I am. You must become a whole new man, He said. But it's not something you do. "It comes from God, above, and the Holy Spirit."

He repeated: "Truly, truly, I tell you, you cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born of water and Spirit."

A strong wind blew, expanding the charcoal fire. Once again, He stared at me and said, "The wind blows wherever it wishes, but you don't know from where it came or where it went."

He invited me into something I longed for, living beyond rules and laws. Life in the Spirit. A life of quiet power. But I held back.

I said, "How can these things be?"

In response, He asked, "Are you a teacher of Israel, but you don't understand these things?" Then my heart stopped beating, and I lost my way. Then something stirred again in His presence: Is He the promised one?

There was another long pause. The situation had completely reversed. I was no longer the seeker. He sought me.

He then said something straightforward. I don't remember the exact words, but it went something like this: God loves this crazy world so much that He had to do something radical. Therefore, He sent His only son, ME, who would be crucified to heal, forgive, restore, and bring this sick world back to himself. You have to do what He says. Believe. Don't just believe me and live your life as you wish. I want you to believe Me like it's the most important thing you've ever heard. With all your heart, you can trust Me. Trust Me with your entire will.

I didn't know what to say. No way. I couldn't believe it. It was impossible for me to return to my old life. In the dark, I walked back.

For three years, I didn't see Jesus. I've heard a lot about Him. The reports kept coming in - people were healed, lives were restored, broken hearts were repaired.

I don't know how it happened, but I started to change. Pharisees once convened an urgent meeting to discuss Jesus. He was out of control. Too many people fell for Him. Everyone except me agreed that He was dangerous. With patience, I cautioned. "Let's wait and see." I shocked myself: I was defending Jesus!

I saw my friend, Joseph, a few years later. The exhausted man looked heartbroken.

He said, "Jesus is dead. The Romans crucified Him last night. Nicodemus, I believed Him. I secretly pledged my life to Him. Join me in burying Him."

Joseph and I went. Now I was ready to risk everything. No more wavering. I was ready to be born again.

That midnight meeting started it all. I'll never forget His intensity, His urgency. "Nicodemus, what'll you do? Are you going to be born from above? Are you willing to receive the Spirit of the living God?"

I had to choose between life and death when it came to Jesus' response. He acted as if everyone had to make a decision.

I know what I had to do. I was willing to give Him everything, even though it was a slow, painful process. How about you? What will you do with Jesus? How will you decide?

• Today’s readings

• Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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• Acknowledgements: Inspiration from
  • Matt Woodley, Preaching Today
  • The Chosen