Vulnerable Confession
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. John 3:1-13
When we think of confession, we most often think of confessing our sins to God and one another. However, confession is about more than sin. Confession is an invitation to lay our authentic selves before God. For many of us our authentic self includes our doubts about our faith and what it means to follow Jesus in our daily lives.
We see an example of this type of confession in the interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, in secret. We imagine that as a member of the ruling council he was afraid of being seen with Jesus. Even so, he was drawn to Jesus’ teachings and amazed by the signs that He was doing. He did not yet recognize that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah but he was drawn to him and wants to know more. Nicodemus came to him in not only in secret, but also in vulnerability. Despite his lofty religious position, he humbled himself to reveal his doubts and ask his questions.
A mentor of mine once told me that we grow in our faith when we meet Jesus in “undefended vulnerability.” That describes the posture of Nicodemus coming to Jesus to try to understand who this man was. In doing so, he was confessing that even “Israel’s teacher” did not yet have all the answers. Too often we believe that we can only approach Jesus with confidence and certitude. However, Nicodemus reminds us that we can approach him in vulnerability, believing that he will meet us in that place and draw us into a deeper relationship with him. That surely was what happened to Nicodemus. as later we see him wrapping Jesus’ body for his burial (John 19:38-42.). Drawing close to Jesus is the fruit of vulnerable confession.
For Reflection
Do you have doubts or questions that you need to take to Jesus?
What prevents you from going to Jesus in undefended vulnerability?
Prayer
Lord, too often we believe that we can only come to you as a Christian with all the right answers. But you know our hearts and you know our minds. You know how the challenges and pain of this life sometimes test our faith. Your word tells us: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Psalm 139). So, Lord, that is our prayer today. Give us the grace to come to you with all that is on our hearts and in our minds, confident that as with Nicodemus you will meet us and draw us closer to you. Amen.