UNDERSTAND

"If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12).

 

Jesus often used common objects and events in order to reveal spiritual truth.  He was a master of metaphor.  In John 3, He has already used both the birthing process and the wind to represent spiritual reality.  One comes into the kingdom of God much like he comes into this world--by being born. The process of spiritual rebirth is mysterious--not unlike the wind.  He uses metaphors so that we can have a point of knowledge.  He takes something that would be impossible for us to understand and simplifies it for us by comparing it to something that we already know.  Nicodemus not only does not understand "heavenly things", he isn't getting the earthly metaphors either. 

 

Today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth concerning the scripture that you will read, your circumstances, what other believers might express, and even your time in prayer.

UNDERSTAND

"Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can these things be?'  Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?'" (John 2:9-10)

 

People don't always understand as much as we might think that they do.  Nicodemus is "the teacher of Israel" and apparently is a prime example of not understanding.  It may be that he doesn't want to understand.  After all, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that his religious system is flawed and that he needs to begin all over again.  I've noticed that we are naturally reluctant to change our views even when presented with overwhelming evidence.  We find a nice neat set of beliefs and tend to stick with them.  Here's the problem with that--sometimes we're wrong.  To give Nicodemus credit, at least he is asking questions.

 

Today, let's try to be teachable.  Try to listen more than we speak and maybe...just maybe...we might learn something.