“How Can This Be?” John 3:9
It is hard not to immediately like Nicodemus. He was a man of integrity and honesty.
He recognized the power of God in the man named Jesus and he was willing to risk his power and prestige as a leading member of the Sanhedrin. He stepped out of safety and prestige to find out the answer of who this Jesus was. In a secret meeting late at night, Nicodemus told Jesus we know you are from God and by the miraculous signs you are doing that God is with you. Jesus did not agree or explain but rather stuns Nicodemus by saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Later Nicodemus, with Joseph of Arimathea, took the body of Christ and lovingly prepared his body for burial and laid Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb. The question of Nicodemus, “How Can This Be?” would soon be answered.
Question of the week: What was the Sanhedrin Council?
Answer: The Sanhedrin Council also was known as “the Court of Seventy-One”, and “the rulers and elders and scribes.” It was the supreme theocratic court of the Jews and reflected the local autonomy which the Greek and Roman powers granted the Jewish nation. Three professional groups composed the council:
High priests (the acting high priest and former high priests) and members of the chief-priestly families
Elders (tribal and family heads of the people and the priesthood)
Scribes (legal professionals).
At the time of Jesus two religio-political parties within Judaism were represented in this membership: the Sadducees of the majority and thePharisees of the minority. Caiaphas the high priest was a Sadducee. Most of the scribes were Pharisees. Numbered among the Pharisees wereNicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, the great teacher Gamaliel, and his student Saul of Tarsus, later named Paul.
Rejoice In His Light
Sunday is the third Sunday of Lent. Lent is a special time of the year to remember that Christ came as a servant to live and die for us. Lent is a time of repentance and prayerful anticipation of Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning. The panels are now purple, symbolizing mourning and remembrance of how Christ suffered for us. Christians, for centuries, have used color in divine worship to emphasize the redemptive action of God through his Son. Color, like music, plays an important role in the life of God’s worshiping people. Just as music is the “handmaiden to theology,” liturgical color complements the message of the seasons and occasions during the church year. Liturgical colors aid in addressing a specific “colorful” chapter in the life of our Lord and his church, retold annually by the church calendar. The primary role of color in divine worship is it allows us to see the Light of Life, Jesus Christ.
Easter Egg Hunt
Our first Easter Egg Hunt at our new site will be March 19th at 10:00 am. Bring the kids and let your neighborhood know. Carla McKinney, 402-817-9716, is our team leader hosting the event.
