Imaginative Contemplation with Nicodemus – bringing questions to the Lord

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Inspired by Nicodemus, today we imagine ourselves seeking out the Lord, in order to bring him our thoughts and our questions.

Today’s meditation is a bit different, and you may prefer to use the text than to use the audio, so I offer a version of the script to you here.

John 3 (NRSV)
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit”
… 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus replies with many words, including these:
… 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

If you choose to pray with the written script, I invite you to do so slowly and thoughtfully:

Nicodemus came out to the Lord because he wanted to chew it all over.

He was compelled by Jesus but still trying to wrap his head around who Jesus is, and what his teaching is all about.

Take a few minutes to still your body and your mind.

How am I – just now?

How am I generally in my life just now?

What are my responsibilities?

How are my key relationships?

Does anything feel unsettled in my life or in my mind?

Is there one thing that would be particularly helpful to bring to the Lord just now?

See yourself – a bit like Nicodemus – seeking Jesus out when there will be a quiet moment (v1-2)

Nicodemus said “We know that you are a teacher who comes from God” (v2)

Tell Jesus what you know to be true about him just know. Affirm his identity, as you are able, from the bottom of your heart.

Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (v3)

Jesus offers an invitation to step more deeply into understanding of God’s kingdom by being re-born, re-made, made new, growing into a new identity or understanding.

How do you understand this?

Now recall the one thing that you want to bring to the Lord. Tell him about it. Tell him what your questions are (v4)

How does he respond?

Tell him what is on your heart, and leave space to listen for him to reply

What might ‘stepping more deeply into God’s kingdom’ in light of this issue look like?

Tell him how you feel stuck, or unsure – feel free to say, as Nicodemus did – that you still don’t fully understand (v9)

See him looking at you with love

Listen as Jesus says that Gods greatest desire for you is to give you eternal life – a fullness and richness of life which begins here and now – his love for you is so great, he desires wholeness and freedom and abundance of life for you – Jesus is here now as a gift of that love. (v16)

Say anything else you wish to say, or simply bask in his love

When you are ready, take your leave of the Lord.

Meditation written by Lissy Clarke, Contemplative at Home

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.

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All music by Pete Hatch.