Nicodemus's Non-Decision: Reflections on John 3:1-16

March 14, 2011 by Alyce McKenzie

Continued from Page 2

As Nicodemus packs Jesus' body with spices, I imagine the air around him is thick with regret. Like the ending of most operas where the lovers, separated for so long, reunite, but there is no time left because one of them is dying. Like a Greek tragedy when the tragic hero realizes, too late, that he should have made a different choice.

Many of us have had the experience at the coffin of a family member or beloved friend of almost overwhelming emotion. If the relationship was loving, we say to ourselves, "If only we had had more time." If the relationship was distant and strained, we say to ourselves, "If only we had had more time."

Unlike Nicodemus in chapter 19, we do have more time with Jesus. With Nicodemuss as a cautionary tale, we now need to decide what we're going to do with it.

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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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