During the 1800s, so I gleaned from my reading, Parisian university students staged a public demonstration requesting various rights. Among their demands was, the right to contradict themselves. The import of their appeal was the right to write/comment/make a statement which went against a previous submission. May I submit, I would support such a basic human right. In fact, the God of the bible calls on people to change their minds.
Today’s reader is privy to one Nicodemus, who exercised his right to change not only his mind, but his former life in its entirety. The “Jewish religious leader” (John 3:1 Africa Study Bible) underwent a complete metamorphosis in his thinking, together with his worldview. In sum, Nicodemus exercised a basic biblical human right.
Much is made today of human rights, and rightly so. All manner of marginal people groups, the frail, the elderly, the young and vulnerable, genders and races, to name but a handful, are exercising their right to education, medical care, protection from violence, shelter, and the likes. Hereto, rightly so. Human beings of all persuasions and status have a right to dignity, mutual respect, and the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose, and, in this context, the individual has the right to change their spiritual outlook.
Consider Nicodemus’ change of mind in today’s reading. No doubt devoted and loyal to his Jewish convictions, he begins to come under the influence of Jesus’ teaching. He, Himself is a Jew, and indeed the long-awaited Messiah of that nation. It was Jesus who came to fulfill Israel’s prophecies of Him and to offer freedom, hope and liberty from their prevailing religiosity and the tyranny of obedience to a system of legal adherences. Later, this offer of life itself was extended to the Gentiles who too, by way of a change of mind, were included in God’s family.
To comprehend the total change of mind undergone by Nicodemus, the reader is directed to John 19:38-39.
This man, prior to his conversion and once in opposition to Jesus’ teaching, now associates himself intimately with the Saviour of mankind. A monumental transformation if ever there was and recorded in Holy Scripture for the benefit of all mankind. And Nicodemus had the right to do so. Such is the call made on the human mind. Move from darkness to light would be the metaphorical expression of this paradigm shift. Every soul has the right to make this fundamental redirection in their approach to this life, as it has a direct bearing on the next.
Carefully ponder the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3:1-21. This “Jewish religious leader” is convinced of his view. He questions Jesus and as a result, reconsiders his life in the light of Jesus’ Words – and he has every right to do so. In time, Holy Scripture is silent on the time frame, Nicodemus experiences a change of mind. Another term for altering one’s mind or outlook or worldview, could well be, to be born again. As I reflect on this passage, I believe that would be an accurate analogy.
Today’s passage, I believe, brings one face-to-face with one’s current frame of mind. Two questions arise. The first, has one experienced a change of mind regarding the God/Man Jesus? Is He indeed who He said He was/is and if so, what is the reader’s relationship to Him? Is it friend? If not, one has every right to change one’s mind and welcome Him into one’s circle. The second, should one have had a change of mind, is the outworking of that turn evident?
Consider Nicodemus! He exercised the right to change his mind and was unafraid to demonstrate his association with the crucified Jesus. The Triune God expects nothing less of human beings than the willingness to exercise their right to change their minds and having once done so, to live an altered lifestyle in accordance with His Word.
Rev. Vernon Loker L Th. B A Hons. (Theol.)
revvcl@gmail.com