Like most of us, Nicodemus thinks he knows about repentance. The old prophets often cried, “Repent!” Large crowds now say another prophet has come – John the Baptizer. They go to the desert, and hear him preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus enters public life with the very same message (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).
Nicodemus ought to be comfortable with the call to “repent,” for it means to leave sin and turn to God. Most Pharisees pride themselves in already doing that. Yet John the Baptizer makes it neither comfortable nor easy. How does John greet those Pharisees who humble themselves enough to seek baptism?
You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:7-8).
Jesus is just as hard. He enters Jerusalem like a whirlwind, using a whip to drive sellers from temple businesses (John 2). Temple leaders turn against Jesus. Nicodemus, however, calls Jesus “rabbi,” and greets Him in a friendly way. Jesus pays little attention to the title or the greeting. Instead, in one sentence, He seems to sweep away the life Nicodemus has built so carefully. The respected Nicodemus must start from the beginning, with a new birth. Jesus challenges Nicodemus to come to the light. Jesus charges:
“… people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19).
Which deeds are so evil? Does “repentance” mean more than we think it does?