Wait. Don't Jump!

More often than not, we jump to a conclusion. Simply, when asked a question, presented with a challenge, or forced to judge a thing, we quickly place our knowledge, wit, wisdom, experiences, notions, beliefs, expertise on it and arrive at a self-supplied reason.

But why?

It's natural for us to "feel some type of way" because we rely on our feelings to navigate this life. Everything has to be tangible. It needs to offer an explanation to fit our rationale. This allows us to be justified. To fit something into the context of our natural mind. It offers a resolution. It satisfies and gives a relief to the maddening questions that bombard our heads.

But then...the unthinkable happens. A differing response happens and now the context is altered and we're left spiraling, searching quickly for another answer to a question that we thought had already been satisfied.

Now what?

John opens us up to an exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus. In chapter 3 and verse 2, Nicodemus' perception of Jesus was that He was a teacher from God and applauded Him for the great things He had done. We are not given context as to why Nicodemus started off his conversation with Jesus this way. Perhaps he did what I have done in the past, when I have met someone I held in high regards, I fumbled through my head what I could say to them. I would try and be witty and say something to get them to like me, maybe get an "in" with them.

But what fascinated me about this was what Jesus said after Nicodemus gave Jesus props.

John 3:3 says, "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

I can only imagine Nicodemus thinking. What the what? What does that have to do with me giving you dabs about being a great teacher and that you just turned water into wine at my homeboy's wedding.

If you slow down, you see this back-and-forth in many conversations and dialogues across your every day life.

Your wife asks you, "did you ______?" Your husband says, " where did you ____?" The kids blurt out, "can I _____?"

What's your reaction? Are you seriously asking this right now? Do you feel attacked? Are you panicking? Are you causal and dismissive? Are you put off by an emotion and the answer incites a behavior that was, perhaps, out-of-bounds?

After what Jesus said, Nicodemus then says, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again?

I can picture Nicodemus thinking to himself before asking Jesus that question, "ain't no way. I am a full grown man. I ain't never heard nobody being able to get back inside they momma?" I can see him shaking his head as he is asking Jesus this.

Nicodemus' question had revealed his mindset. Jesus was speaking to his spirit man needing to be born again NOT his natural man. Nicodemus had already JUMP to a conclusion because Jesus's response caused a conflict in his natural mind. I see myself doing this more often than not. I assume I know something because my mind has some knowledge of a known thing. I have the answer because this has to be the answer.

Jesus then says this, "...unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'..."

The face Nicodemus had to have made when Jesus hit him with that? So this teacher just said I gotta be born of water and the Spirit? What kinda gibberish is this? Born of the flesh is flesh? Well duh... I know if I came from my momma, I am human. He is trying to process this and come to an understanding.

Jesus continues, "...the wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Now He REALLY messed with Nicodemus' head. How do I know. Because of his question to Jesus. "How can this be?" He was stumped. Nicodemus had no understanding of what Jesus was saying. How often are in that same boat, where we do not understand the question? Or the direction that question is taking us? It does not meet our rationale or our understanding. Some of us dismissive it. We are ready to check out. We don't want to listen to understand anymore because we JUMPED to a conclusion. This person is a dud. They don't know what they are talking about. What time is the game? How can I get out of this boring conversation.

Not Nicodemus. In his inquisition to what Jesus had to said I think, in his human nature, he wanted an answer. He wanted to get a tangible resolution to satisfy his natural mind.

Jesus then says, "...We speak of what We know and bear witness of what We have seen but you do not receive Our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"

Jesus was saying you know the winds blow through the trees. You see the rustling of the leaves but you don't know where the wind comes from or where it is going to next. I am speaking to you by experience. I am giving witness to what I have seen with My own eyes. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don't believe me, what use is there in Me telling you things you can't see, the things of God? Just as none has ever gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven. In the same way Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is needed for the Son of Man to be lifted up and everyone to see Him, so they can trust and expect, and will gain a real and eternal life."

What are you saying, Frank?

Maybe, as you stand at the precipice of a daunting conversation or decision or choice, don't assume you know the answer. Let the Holy Spirit direct you. He might be saying...wait! Don't jump!

John: 3:16