Cheering from the Bleachers
It was opening day for the St Louis Cardinals! We had talked about doing this for a long time, because opening day is special. They bring in the Clydesdales to prance around the stadium pulling the red wagon. There are always some of the retired Cardinal greats from yesteryear parading around in convertibles. Then comes the current team members. The crowd is electric, the stadium full. Because they jack the seat prices up considerably, we decided to sit in the left field bleachers. That was OK, third row, we had a great view of everyone passing in front of us. Then came the game. A 1-1 tie until the 6th inning. The visiting Tampa Bay Rays scored 6 runs to go ahead 7-1. “Well,” I said, “we may lose but it’s still a fun day at the ballpark.” To my surprise the Cardinals came back in the bottom of the 6th with 8 runs in one inning, leading, then winning 9-8.
I’ve been a fan of the Cardinals since I was little. My dad almost played for them, going to a walk-on tryout in 1947, held at the old Sportsman’s Park. One of over a thousand kids at the beginning of the week, by the end of the week he was one of three left. They told them they would all be offered a contract, even told my dad he was headed to Savannah, to play on their minor league team there. But they had to go through a physical, and my dad, with one leg an inch shorter than the other, failed the physical. Later, I had some success playing, our little league team winning our league several times. I made the varsity baseball team my freshman year in high school. Promised a small baseball scholarship to MO Valley College, I chose to attend Southwest MO State, injured my leg as a freshman, and my chance at college ball was over. But I’ve been a Cardinal fan all through the years. All of that said, from experience I know, being a player and being a fan are two very different things.
In John 3 of the Bible, we find an interesting thing. Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and member of the Sanhedrin, comes to Jesus at night. Watching Jesus teach and perform miracles, he has gained an appreciation. “Rabbi,” he says, “we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these things that you do unless God is with him.” Are these just flattering words, or is he being honest? I think he was being honest, because we only find his name mentioned two other times, once defending Jesus (John 7), and when he participates in Jesus’ burial (John 19). But he comes at night. Obviously not wanting the other Jewish leaders to know.
Jesus will say to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus is confused, so Jesus explains. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” This will be clarified later, when Peter preaches on Pentecost and tells the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we find the connection of water and Spirit. How does Nicodemus respond? We are given no evidence that he repents, that he is baptized, or that he does any more than continue as an impressed believer in Jesus who never commits to him. He is a fan of Jesus, from what we know, that is all.
Maybe you recognize the contrast between player and fan also. Nicodemus had much to lose if he committed to Jesus. Most likely he would have lost his place in the Sanhedrin. He would have lost the esteem his fellow Jews had for him in the Synagogue. It costs to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus would say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). He would also say, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Jesus wants players, followers, not just fans.
What about you? If you make it to church on Sunday, do you cheer Jesus from the bleachers? That’s OK as we honor him on The Lord’s Day, but does it go beyond that? Does he have impact on your life Monday-Friday, the way you talk, the way you spend money, the virtues you display, the way you forgive and serve others? Learn from Nicodemus that we need to be a player, a true follower, and not just a fan.
I’ve been a fan of the Cardinals since I was little. My dad almost played for them, going to a walk-on tryout in 1947, held at the old Sportsman’s Park. One of over a thousand kids at the beginning of the week, by the end of the week he was one of three left. They told them they would all be offered a contract, even told my dad he was headed to Savannah, to play on their minor league team there. But they had to go through a physical, and my dad, with one leg an inch shorter than the other, failed the physical. Later, I had some success playing, our little league team winning our league several times. I made the varsity baseball team my freshman year in high school. Promised a small baseball scholarship to MO Valley College, I chose to attend Southwest MO State, injured my leg as a freshman, and my chance at college ball was over. But I’ve been a Cardinal fan all through the years. All of that said, from experience I know, being a player and being a fan are two very different things.
In John 3 of the Bible, we find an interesting thing. Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and member of the Sanhedrin, comes to Jesus at night. Watching Jesus teach and perform miracles, he has gained an appreciation. “Rabbi,” he says, “we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these things that you do unless God is with him.” Are these just flattering words, or is he being honest? I think he was being honest, because we only find his name mentioned two other times, once defending Jesus (John 7), and when he participates in Jesus’ burial (John 19). But he comes at night. Obviously not wanting the other Jewish leaders to know.
Jesus will say to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus is confused, so Jesus explains. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” This will be clarified later, when Peter preaches on Pentecost and tells the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we find the connection of water and Spirit. How does Nicodemus respond? We are given no evidence that he repents, that he is baptized, or that he does any more than continue as an impressed believer in Jesus who never commits to him. He is a fan of Jesus, from what we know, that is all.
Maybe you recognize the contrast between player and fan also. Nicodemus had much to lose if he committed to Jesus. Most likely he would have lost his place in the Sanhedrin. He would have lost the esteem his fellow Jews had for him in the Synagogue. It costs to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus would say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). He would also say, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Jesus wants players, followers, not just fans.
What about you? If you make it to church on Sunday, do you cheer Jesus from the bleachers? That’s OK as we honor him on The Lord’s Day, but does it go beyond that? Does he have impact on your life Monday-Friday, the way you talk, the way you spend money, the virtues you display, the way you forgive and serve others? Learn from Nicodemus that we need to be a player, a true follower, and not just a fan.
Posted in Waking Up Eutychus