Monday's thoughts

The sermon for Sunday February 21st:

"What Do You Say To a Fundamentalist?" (Jesus and Nicodemus)
In a strict use of the term "fundamentalist" we are referring to a series of propositions that came out of the 1920's when it was determined that the "true believer" holds on to basic fundamentals of our faith. It includes the inerrancy of scripture, the virgin birth, and the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the historical belief in Jesus' miracles, and Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross.

The fundamentalists I have known are very religious people and they are very sure of their faith. They know what they believe and why they believe it. They tend to want to hold onto the faith they have always believed.

Nicodemus is a good character to consider as we enter into Lent. He is a pharisee. He is a respected member of the religious establishment and he comes to Jesus at night.

The encounter of Jesus and Nicodemus is in the 3rd Chapter of the Gospel of John. Interesting that John is the only writer who mentions Nicodemus and John is one who sees Jesus as "the light of the world".

The contrast is interesting. A man who has it all and knows it all comes to Jesus at night and Jesus, whose whole life has been a search and who has nothing but the clothes on his back and a group of confused disciples who really don't know what they are doing or who their leader is. Nicodemus in the dark comes to the light.

Nicodemus represents all of us fundamentalists. He represents all of us religious people who are coming to Lent with the understanding there is much we do not know and much we need we do not have. We can be conservative fundamentalists or liberal fundamentalists. We can be scientific fundamentalists or aesthetic fundamentalists. We can be fundamental at professing our lack of knowing. We can hold our search as the fundamental truth we possess.

We all, like Nicodemus, come to Jesus in the dark. We all come searching for the light.

Lent, this year maybe we will find ourselves in the light to the point that we become the light.

That is our objective as we look at Jesus and relationships he had.

What do you think about this? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your ideas click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles