The Courage to be Curious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaSujle5HjQ

Gospel

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

ACCORDING TO JOHN

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

JOHN 3:1-17

Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor

Unfortunately, our guest speaker from Northreach was unable to make it this morning, so we will instead focus on the Gospel. I still invite you this week to focus on Helping Hands as you participate in the Lent project and we will still pray for them.

Today’s Gospel is a familiar one. We have Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jewish faith, who has heard Jesus speak. Curious about him, he comes to Jesus at night, and says to him (and here I am quoting from The Message, a paraphrase of the Bible), “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” And this insight prompts Jesus to reply to him, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.” And this begins the long dialogue between the two about what it means to be born again, born from above.

What really stands out in this story is not the complexity of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, but Nicodemus’ actions themselves. Nicodemus, as a teacher of the law, is placed in this Gospel with those who oppose Jesus. However, something in what Jesus has said has piqued his interest and instead of doing what would be easier, ignoring it, just going about his normal day, following his fellow leaders and speaking against Jesus...we see instead that his curiosity takes over and he goes to Jesus to find out more. He goes to him with as open a mind as possible, he goes to him ready to engage and ask questions where he doesn’t understand.

Nicodemus is, for us, an example. Because although he was not aligned with Jesus immediately, he was open and willing enough to engage with him and ask questions. He doesn’t come across as threatened by Jesus, but simply curious. And this curiosity prompts Nicodemus to go to Jesus and to ask more, to learn, and to grow, and to be challenged and, in the end, to change his thoughts and actions. And this is a model I think we can all turn to in our own world.

We all have people who we don’t agree with. People whose lives, actions, faith belief (or lack thereof) we might judge as being wrong or going against what we think God commands. But Nicodemus shows us that even if this is the case, the only way we can grow and develop is by taking the risk, being curious, and asking questions. Being people of open minds and hearts who are willing to learn from others. Yes, what we learn might not be what we agree with. It might unsettle us. It might stretch us. It might even challenge things we have held onto for a very long time. But growth rarely happens in comfort.

And notice something else: Nicodemus comes at night. We often assume that this details means he is afraid, that he doesn’t want to be seen, so he goes to Jesus under the cover of darkness. And maybe this is true. But night is also a time when distractions are fewer, there is a quietness in the air, it is easier to listen. The night is time when we can ask the questions we are not brave enough to ask in the day. So Nicodemus comes in the dark and sometimes faith begins exactly there — not in bold declarations, not in certainty, but in quiet, uncertain questions offered in the dark.

Jesus does not shame Nicodemus for his confusion. Jesus does not dismiss his questions. Instead, he invites him deeper. He speaks of being born from above, born of water and Spirit. He speaks of a life transformed, a life opened up to something bigger than we can ever accomplish on our own.

To be “born from above” is not about having all the right answers. It is about being open to God doing something new in us. It is about allowing the Spirit to reshape our assumptions, soften our certainties, and widen our hearts. It is about recognizing that God’s kingdom is often bigger than our categories.

And perhaps that is where this meets us in Lent. Lent is a season of self-examination, yes. But it is also a season of openness. A season where we ask: Where might God be inviting me to see differently? Where might I need to approach with curiosity instead of judgment? Where might I need to ask a hard question rather than settle into easy answers?

Nicodemus does not leave this conversation fully understanding everything Jesus has said. In fact, we see him appear again later in John’s Gospel — slowly, quietly moving closer to Jesus. His journey is gradual. And that is good news for us. Because most of our journeys are gradual too.

We do not need to have it all figured out. We just need to be willing to come — even if it is at night, even if it is uncertain — and ask.

So this week, as you continue in your Lenten practices and as we pray for Helping Hands, I invite you to lean into curiosity. To bring your questions to God. To approach others not first with judgment, but with a willingness to listen, to learn and to grow. To trust that the Spirit is at work and inviting us to be born from above in ways we cannot yet fully see.

And even though their representative couldn’t be here today, we still end by praying for Helping Hands, the prayer is on the screen. Let us pray: Loving God, We thank you for Helping Hands. Bless the volunteers who serve, the donors who give, and all who come seeking support. May this ministry be a place of compassion, dignity, and hope.

Amen.