Questions Welcome
In John 3 we find something unique about Jesus and about Christianity as a faith/religion: it’s okay to ask questions. Many religions shy away from questions or even condemn their followers for asking them, but we don’t find that with Jesus. At the beginning of chapter 3 in John’s gospel, we find Jesus teaching Nicodemus, a Pharisee and religious leader, and Nicodemus responding with questions.
“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”” (John 3:3-4)
Jesus doesn’t condemn Nicodemus for not understanding nor does He look down on him for asking clarifying questions. In fact, Jesus answers with clear examples to help Nicodemus’ understanding.
“Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:5-8)
Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant by being born again because his only concept of birth was that of mother and child, so Jesus explained that while humans can only reproduce human life, the Holy Spirit can give birth to Spiritual life. Jesus explained Himself in terms Nicodemus could understand. It is during this conversation with Nicodemus that we get the most famous verse in all of Scripture. Nicodemus asked Jesus how all these things are possible and Jesus delivered the entire story of the Bible in one sentence:
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It’s okay if you have questions along your faith journey. Even a religious leader had questions about the things Jesus was teaching, and Jesus lovingly answered in great detail. Christians look like Jesus when we too do not shy away from or condemn questions but rather trust in the Spirit and seek out the wisdom of the Scriptures and others in the faith to find the answers. Please know that it is okay to come as you are, with all your scars and even your questions.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
