One ThingSample

The One Thing Tradition Can’t Give You

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night" (John 3:1-2, ESV).

Nicodemus had an impressive spiritual résumé. He was a respected teacher, a devout Pharisee, and a member of the Jewish ruling council. His life centered around Judaism: meticulous law-keeping, strict adherence to tradition, and outward displays of righteousness. That’s why it was scandalous to meet with Jesus—he was a threat to their tradition and system. So Nicodemus approached him at night.

He began respectfully: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him" (John 3:2, ESV).

Jesus responded by answering the question he didn’t ask, but needed to understand, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, ESV).

Nicodemus was a master of the Torah, yet Jesus directed him back to the basics. Rule-following and ritual-keeping weren’t enough. He needed a new heart. This is a work of the Spirit, and not of the flesh—his law-keeping could never transform him from the inside out.

The Pharisees were experts in doing the law, but Jesus introduced a category Nicodemus hadn’t considered—rebirth. But this statement confused Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old?”

Jesus responded with a gentle rebuke: “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” This concept wasn’t new. It was right there in the Scriptures he knew so well:

• “I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live…” (Eze. 37:14 ESV).
• “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (Jer. 31:33 ESV).

Nicodemus believed righteousness came from doing the right things, but Jesus invited him to be born again, trusting in his perfect righteousness to provide new life.

Does Nicodemus’ focus on keeping rules and preserving tradition sound familiar? Do you relate to his desire to perform, especially during your quiet times? Jesus didn’t dismiss Nicodemus’ faithful devotion, but he redirected it, showing him that it’s not tradition that saves, but being born again.

We don’t know precisely what happened with Nicodemus, but it appears that he took Jesus’ words to be born again to heart. Once he was afraid to be seen with Jesus, but later he took a bold step of faith and asked Pilate for his body after his crucifixion. Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, anointed and prepared the Lord’s body for burial.

The former rule-keeper willingly risked his reputation by associating himself with Jesus in his death, perhaps by holding to a new, and saving, tradition of faith.

The invitation of holy leisure is not a call to abandon discipline or devotion, but to delight in a Person. Holy leisure is the pursuit of knowing and enjoying Jesus again (or maybe for the first time). Don’t settle for tradition when Jesus offers a relationship. To enjoy this relationship and to see the kingdom of God, we must be born again.