There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren't, you couldn't do the miraculous signs you are doing."
John 3:1-2
When Jesus was first fully in his ministry, the stories of the miracles he was performing and the people he was healing traveled throughout Israel. Nearly everyone knew who Jesus was and this was before YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and even the good old fashioned telephone.
Everyone knew because the stories of Jesus were so powerful, so amazing, that they had to be shared. And soon, by way of the Israeli pre-phone tree, the leaders of the church were discussing Jesus and his great power.
The leaders were torn and were unsure how to address this unknown teacher who was performing miracles beyond their broadest imaginings. Some wanted to ignore him, considering him a liar and a fraud, but others wanted to understand him. However, they feared, like many of us, stepping out in faith and aligning themselves with someone who would make them unpopular amongst their friends.
Nicodemus was one of the Jewish elite. He was a Pharisee and he was in power. He was a celebrity of sorts - a cross between an actor and a politician in our modern translation of fame. And by aligning with Jesus, he felt he had everything to lose.
If Nicodemus was found meeting with Jesus, he would face certain ridicule, possible ostracising from his friends, and a likely loss of power. So, Nicodemus went under the cloak of darkness so no one would see him, to learn more about Jesus.
His faith was weak at best - but it was there. A tiny grain of faith which Jesus tried to fertilize and grow by confirming who he was and what he said was true.
In his conversation with Nicodemus that evening, it is recorded that Jesus says, "What I am about to tell is true" three times. I believe Jesus did this for Nicodemus to help him trust in what Jesus was doing and to help him believe Jesus was the One and Only Son of God.
We are often like Nicodemus. We need the constant, gentle reassurance of Jesus - confirming who he is and how much he loves us. The love of Jesus and the unconditional nature of his sacrifice on our behalves can be overwhelming and doubtful, but we need to be like Nicodemus. We need to take that first step toward Jesus and trust that through his reassurance, his love and his grace we will come to understand that what he tells us is true.
He came so that we might one day be with him and the Father in heaven. He came so that we might be born again in faith. He came so that we might truly know the power and the love of God.
He came because he loves you.
Scripture
Quote of the Day
People see God every day, they just don't recognize him.
Pearl Bailey
Question of the Day
How can you make time to see God right before you?
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