I tell this story, all these years later, to make a point.
That was a Nicodemus moment.
Consider what Jesus said to Nicodemus.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? John 3:10-12
Just because someone may sport a clerical collar, pastor a church, hail to “Reverend,” or hold more degrees than a Thermometer is no indication that they know the Lord very well.
Don’t mishear me. I have good friends who are pastors and professors and they have a deep and authentic walk with Jesus Christ and they can perceive when He’s working. However, just because someone is part of the clergy or they matriculated from seminary doesn’t insure that are spiritual and can discern spiritual things.
The sad fact is, there are many Nicodemus’ extant today.
They may hold Phds. in theology or ministry, but that doesn’t equate to knowing Christ deeply and living by His indwelling life.
The situation is no different today than it was in ancient Israel when God was enfleshed and broke into human history.
T. Austin-Sparks, a former pastor and one of the most Christ-centered and spiritually insightful men who ever lived, put his finger on the problem this way:
What is the nature of your relationship with Christ? You may believe in the Christian doctrine of the Deity of Christ, and believe in it very intensely. But if it is only doctrine, a tenet of the Creed, an objective fact concerning Christ, it will not carry you through the terrific experiences which lie in the path of true Christians. John said that the object of his writing his Gospel was that we might believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that believing we might have life in His name. But he took pains to show that those who did so believe, had an experimental basis for their faith. How and why do you believe? Can you say truly – because something has happened in me for which there is no accounting apart from God Himself. Emotions, reasonings, persuasions, cannot account for it. Human personalities, psychology, or any human or natural factor cannot account for it. It required God Almighty, and I found Him in Jesus Christ. It was the voice of the Son of God, and I lived, and live.
May the tribe of the unknown yet insightful Annas and Simeon’s increase, for they had eyes to see in a religious culture that was blind.
Read Luke 2:25-38 if you’re looking for a footnote.
Bottom line. Never be impressed with mere externals when it comes to spiritual knowledge and experience.
Jesus of Nazareth was a day laborer. He had no formal religious training, as did the scribes and priests of His day who were spiritually blind.
Neither did the twelve men whom He chose to take His place.
Don’t misunderstand: Formal religious training isn’t bad. It can be quite helpful. But it’s no guarantee in equipping women and men to know their Lord well and follow their spiritual instincts.
