The New Birth: Nicodemus' and Ours: Reflections on John 3:1-17

March 07, 2014 by Alyce McKenzie

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That hasn't kept Nicodemus from being venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches commemorate Nicodemus on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, celebrated on the second Sunday after Easter. In Roman martyrology Nicodemus is commemorated along with Joseph of Arimathea on August 31. In medieval art, there are many depictions of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea removing the dead Christ from the cross, often with the aid of a ladder.

The gospels invite us to enter into the narratives by identifying with various characters and changing as they do throughout the story. In honor of Nicodemus during this Lenten season, let us participate in his and our own new birth. Let's do our part in the process of breaking free of the old and entering into the new and abundant life God has in store for all of us. Now rather than later!

Sources Consulted

Raymond Brown, The Anchor Bible Gospel According To John XIII-XXI (New York: Doubleday, 1979).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemus

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About Alyce McKenzie

Alyce M. McKenzie is the George W. and Nell Ayers Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.

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