Nicodemuses

A deeper understanding.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.'
8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."
9 Nicode'mus said to him, "How can this be?"
10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."-John3:7-15

The Nicodemuses of this world seek for something, for knowledge or for truth that can be tangibly seen, heard or touched. Sometimes, if an answer is given to them but contrary to their expectations, either they turn away or go deeper down 'the rabbit hole.' Jesus is inviting us all to accept one truth - He is the Lord and Savior. Why, then, is this truth so difficult for some? What are they seeking exactly?

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What comes out?

What comes out from us, define who we are.

14 He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” [16 ][a]17 [b]When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19 [c]since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 “But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. 21 From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. 23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”-Mark7:14-23

The Gospel reading is indeed thought-provoking. There are many accounts in Leviticus where Yahweh Himself gave the "Do's and Don'ts" of the Jewish faith, including the foods to eat and not to eat. However, Jesus declared that all foods are clean. Jesus was clear when He said that food does not make a person unclean or defiled [according to Genesis, all are created good], rather, it is sin that comes from within ourselves that make one unclean or defiled. I was just wondering why Yahweh gave a prescription, only for Jesus to change later on. As I reflected, I do believe that the traditions and prescriptions are not bad at all. These serve as a guideline or parameter which is very ideal. However, it should have been coupled with love for God and love of neighbor, and an understanding that there is more to the Law, traditions and prescriptions. These are not supposed to isolate, judge or condemn others, but it is supposed to build and encourage growth. I do believe that Jesus made the Law, traditions and prescriptions perfect by living it out Himself in a way that speaks of love of God and neighbor.

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