The Game Changer

Brief Audio Reflection “The Game Changer” (John 3: 1-17; The Second Sunday in Lent: Year A).

Nicodemos was a man of the law. That’s what it meant to be a Pharisee. Not that you were a lawyer, but that your sole purpose was to serve God by ever more scrupulous observation of intricate regulations governing every aspect of behavior, of thought, speech, diet, hygiene, relationships, work, leisure and worship. The Chosen People lived by Mosaic Law, but that wasn’t good enough for the Pharisees. They sought God in ritual perfection. Then Jesus comes along and changes the game. He preaches that love… not law… is how God keeps score. Forgiveness… not retribution… is his passion. And for God’s people, from now on, things are going to be different...

Jesus lays it out straight for Nicodemos, his wannabe disciple, and for us, his easily distracted people: Keep doing what you’re doing and you’re going nowhere. Come follow me. Be born again of water and the Holy Spirit and it’s all yours… the forgiveness of the penitent, the serenity of grace, the joy of the beloved, the eternal life of the saved.

Jesus has changed the game. And God is waving us home.