Nicodemus Comes to Jesus
Scripture Reading — John 3:1-21
There was a man ... named Nicodemus... He came to Jesus at night. John 3:1-2
Nicodemus was a teacher. He wanted to meet Jesus, so he went to visit Jesus one night, and they had a fascinating conversation.
Nicodemus knew that God was with Jesus in a special way because Jesus performed miracles that no one else could do. But Nicodemus remained uncertain about Jesus. Was it possible that Jesus might be greater than any prophet the world had ever seen?
Jesus knew that Nicodemus was a gifted religious leader who was blind to spiritual truths. So Jesus said a person must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus knew that this was physically impossible, but Jesus was talking about spiritual rebirth, the miracle that happens when God's Spirit puts new life in dead hearts.
The Bible doesn't tell us whether Nicodemus became a believer in Jesus. We do know that when the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus, Nicodemus spoke up in his defense (John 7:50-51). We also know that Nicodemus helped a man named Joseph lay Jesus' body in a tomb after Jesus died on the cross (John 19:39).
Some of the best-known words in the Bible are from Jesus' talk with Nicodemus: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Lord, enable us to believe in you wholeheartedly as our Savior and Lord. Renew our life through the power of your Spirit, and give us new strength each day. Amen.
About the author — Roger S. Greenway
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