reflecting on Men's Bible Study - Nicodemus, curiosity & vigilence (not doxa), and spiritual growth

Plowing through the rich field of John's gospel, as usual, we read only a few lines of the 3rd chapter before all sorts of wonderings led us down multiple tangents that tie into larger matters of personal life, decisions and priorities, local church particulars and world events. Among these by-ways were ideas for reflection like these (google image search for 'jesus and nicodemus' provides the illustration posted here).

1. Charles Dickens, among others, assigned special meaning to many of his characters (Ebenezer, as in Scrooge, has its Biblical significance, for instance). Perhaps the name 'Nicodemus' tells us more than his ethnic foundation (Greek-culture/language Jew trained up with other Pharisees; maybe something like Saul/Paul in that sense). The Internet gives the roots of this name, "a personal name of Greek origin, composed of the elements nike 'victory' + demos 'people'." According to the actions and words attributed to Nicodemus in gospel, truly his name's roots are borne out.
2. Rather than a command and control, top-down style of instructing new Christians and new believers, the upshot of this morning's conversation seems to be that the most effective way to develop deep and sustaining roots is to cultivate curiosity and vigilance so that followers of the Way may step into the unknown in faith with the attitude of seeking and venturing, though unable to see clearly into the distance, at least one step at a time is illuminated so that the person can proceed. Doubts, wondering, questions all are to be encouraged over rote and recitation. Habits and engaging tasks trump perfect memory and quotation; process over content, strategies instead of static fragments of a glorious whole.
3. Extended discussion went back and forth around the idea of the Holy Spirit entering one's thoughts and actions; somehow this presence could be interpreted to mean that such persons who are (semi) aware and respond to the comforting Spirit are growing spiritually more mature. And yet the imagery of "jars of clay that hold great treasure" also comes to mind - no matter how prestigious or impressive the vessel, it is the contents that are greatest in value, and these contents we mortals only temporarily touch; it is not ours. We are simply stewards who incidentally benefit by holding that treasure. And no matter how hard you strive toward some image of righteousness or emulating the heart and life experience of Jesus, any spiritual growth is so tiny by comparison to the infinity of God's glory. That does not mean it is pointless to strive to advance one's wisdom, discernment, scope of experience among man and God, but that enhanced self-consciousness or depth of humanity does not result in moral superiority or extreme humility to out-shine one's earlier self or exceed one's peer (reference) group. Put into the language of sin (veering from the path, missing the target), you can say that is well and good to strive to keep on track (righteousness in the midst of temptation, preoccupation, distraction), and doing so will carry you further down the path, but the destination will always be over the next hill; it is enough to strive and any glory that comes of such a life of striving is not one's own credit or ownership, but belongs to the Creator. In capsule summary: do strive for righteousness and extending one's spiritual maturity, but any perceived gains belong to God, not a trophy of one's own.