Read this passage before going further – John3:1-21
What do you do when you don’t understand what you believe is true?
I know that is a HUGE question but I am curious as to how others respond to this circumstance. I was reading this passage and saw how fast Nicodemus was confused and wondered just what was going on in his mind. I mean the way Jesus put it at first had him puzzled! I’m sure I would have been the same way. But through that conversation, though confused, Nicodemus knew that Jesus was the Son of God and that whatever He was saying was truth.
When I find things in the Word like this I just dwell on it for a couple days so that’s what I’m doing with this. I hope some of you join me in this and comment on my page. I REALLY want to know your thoughts. Here’s to growing together!
That’s one of the big questions…what do we do when we just don’t get it.
Being a nerd, when I come across a passage that I don’t get, I typically look for certain clues. Things like certain words, certain phrases, certain images, and then I’ll look to see where those things have previously been used in scripture.
Jesus, like most 1st century rabbis, would have had what we know as the OT memorized, so when they spoke, they chose their language with great intention.
Other than that, I like to look at linguistics (hebrew, greek, aramaic) to see if there’s a variation in translation that might make it easier to understand.
But, like I said, I’m a nerd at heart.
i take the easy way out and just accept it based on my faith in God and that He is greater than me. i don’t have a need to understand it and He can explain it in Heaven.
this borders on ignorance, which is a bit foolish, but that’s where I’m at!
another helpful thing is to ask someone smarter than me.