Monday
Jesus is visited one night by a very important man. Who is this man?
Here’s a little background on Nicodemus. He was a member of the Jewish Council, a Pharisee. (Do you remember how many times Jesus accuses the Pharisees of doing wrong… he calls them hypocrites, snakes, sons of vipers and blind guides, read Matthew 23, Jesus is not talking in very flattering terms.) But Nicodemus is intrigued by Jesus. He is one of the few Pharisees that actually went looking for Jesus – even if it is in the dark of night so he would not be seen by the others. I think that Nicodemus left this encounter with Jesus a different man. His support of Jesus starts to grow. A little later we find Nicodemus speaking up against the Council as they plotted to eliminate Jesus. (John 7:50-52). But he was quickly shot down. His objection might have been ignored, but Nicodemus is getting bolder in his defense of Jesus and finally we learn of Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea, going to Pilate, asking for Jesus’ body after the crucifixion.
Nicodemus might not have started out boldly seeking Jesus but you can see his growth over time. With each passing day Nicodemus is drawn closer to Jesus.
On the outside, one might think that any of the Pharisees would be out of reach, but yet here we find Jesus touching the heart of an outsider. When Nicodemus speaks with Jesus, he says, “Rabbi, we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Isn’t it interesting that Nicodemus feels like everyone knows that Jesus is special, that God is with Him? Why then wouldn’t the rest of the council want to truly seek out what Jesus had to say to them, instead of trying to find way to shut Jesus up. The answer is simple. Jesus threatened the Pharisee’s way of life. They liked being the ones in control. They liked being the ones who told the people what to do. Their hearts were not in the right place. John 2:25 says, “No one needed to tell him (Jesus) about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.”
When Nicodemus came to Jesus that night, Jesus knew what was in his heart, he wasn’t fearful of what Nicodemus might have done to him. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was seeking after the truth and that is exactly what Jesus gave him… the truth.
If you come seeking after Jesus, He will give you the truth. And what is that truth? That the only way to enter the Kingdom of God is to be born of water and the Spirit. To have a physical birth and a spiritual birth. To be cleansed by the Spirit and to be given new life by the Spirit. Look at what Ezekiel 36: 25-27 says, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Jesus is telling us that it is not through our “works” or our “being good” (although those are products of our rebirth) but rather it takes a renewing of our hearts, an acceptance of Jesus in our lives that will allow us entrance into the Kingdom of God.
Are you there? Have you had your encounter with Jesus? If you haven’t, if you are still seeking the truth, remember that your pastors (Rick and Kathy) are always available to help you. If you have accepted Christ are you, like Nicodemus, growing closer to him?
Praising God
Pastor Kathy