There are many vestiges of the Lord that we anticipate Him to be based on what we ask of Him in prayer. In the Bible no less he gives examples of who He is, via the many miracles performed, speaking in parables, and more times in scripture where His Word is absolute. I call them ‘snapshots’ of God. I want to delve into a Biblical figure who was curious about Jesus but wanted to be ambiguous under a shroud of ambiguity. It is one of the best known encounters with Jesus in all the world that led to the most famous verse in the Bible – John 3:16. God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son! This essay may or may not appeal to you, or perhaps it may not be current with your train of thought, but the implication thereof, and how important it is to all of us has greater sense of reference if you look at the bigger picture I will present to you. Let me set the stage here as an introduction. You must know that there are some people in this world that everything they do is done for people to see. They are pompous and full of ego…they love places of honor at celebration and seek designated seats in church; they love to be greeted with respect in public and be called with a title by others. If you didn’t know it, what I’ve just conveyed to you was the life of a certain Pharisee. In fact it depicts the way of life of the man that God made available to give you the snapshot of. His name? Nicodemus. His story has significance…he wanted to know specifically how a man can be born again if conception was already adhered to by birth. If indeed you are not sure about something, you need clarification…yes, you are in the dark and light must be shed on you. Nicodemus had other problems, though…a dilemma if you will (and I will shed light on that a bit later).
The main theme behind this snapshot: The promise and meaning behind being born again, illustrating the purpose and contrast between darkness and light, through Nicodemus and his quest on what it means to be born in a new light. The analogy of a man who found that light at night.
Who REALLY was Nicodemus? Let me introduce him to you. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who had prior knowledge, by observation and quite a bit of hearsay. The Jewish social order of the day. Had social status by titular honor such as Pharisee, Saddusee, and tube nag member of the Sanhedrin. I can honestly say based on my research that Nicodemus was a devout leader who was religious, politically active, educated, financially secure, and respected among his peers. He genuinely sought divine truth, but needed a better understanding of what he heard Jesus proclaimed about a new life bordering on faith. With all of this, he was lost and unsaved but sought some semblance of truth! Pharisees back then was a status bordering on rank and file. They went about life thinking that everybody else was beneath them. Revisiting scripture based on how the Bible depicts privilege, it pays homage to people who feel that they are better than others because they are religious and think they are doing what God wants of them. Know that there is a little bit of a Pharisee inside all of us. A little spiritual pride or showmanship where we think we got it all together, or at least we want it to appear like we do. At times we find life in doing religious activities (as opposed to being spiritual), not because we are serving the Lord, rather because we want people to see all the great things we’re doing. I am often guilty of this in my own life. I find the more I read about the Pharisees the more I see some of their sins in my own life, and I repent. If you’re like me, I do not want you to miss life knowing God like the Pharisees did. They were clueless! This is why it’s incumbent on you to rely ONLY on the Lord to help you where you are. Nicodemus was no better than you. He struggled mightily trying to do what’s right in lieu of being in bondage chained to legalism because he didn’t want to be exposed. So what did he do? He sought Jesus hoping not to be seen and came at night.
What was Nicodemus’ dilemma, better yet, why was there a need to come out with the cover of darkness? It was common knowledge that he feared for his social and political position and sought to avoid negative repercussions by visiting Jesus for less than obvious reasons. However, based on other supported reasons to aid and abet Jesus’ work, Nicodemus often boldly and publicly defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin. To make things interesting, Nicodemus is presented with an intriguing analogy that Jesus took a stance to school him with a different way of expressing a new train of thought for Nicodemus. He possessed a sin-sick soul that needed God’s amazing Grace to deliver to a ‘born again’ awareness.
What did Nicodemus learn? Nicodemus chose in spite of the danger and the risk of exposure…he came out of darkness and into the light of Jesus. He came to understand on that night when he secretly visited Jesus seeking answers, finding out that a whole new life was possible, one which would bring him up close and personal with God who created him, redeemed him and would empower and encourage him in a life that would last to eternity.
The Key to it all: Deep in his heart Nicodemus knew the Father, and because he knew the father he knew the Son. I strongly believe that many of us are like Nicodemus…we struggle, but deep in our hearts we want to be in that number when He comes back, but we’re hesitant and may not be ready. Do you really feel that time is truly on your side? Can you afford to continue to neglect God? C’mon let’s be real. It’s time to come out of the dark and let light shine upon you for greater illumination
CONCLUSION: How will you respond, and what can we learn? I gave you a short snapshot of how God through His son responds to a question, How Can a Person be Born Again from someone clamoring for a new direction. It falls back on how you feel about being born again in the state you find yourselves in. Are you willing to honestly consider the consequences of not being in a better position for the New Jerusalem? Nicodemus and his dilemma is an incredible encounter illustrating that we all need to be born again. Belief in Him insures how He validates and accomplishes our salvation. He performs a creative work to give us a new spiritual life, a one-time providential blueprint to get it right. Eternal life is available to whosoever believes in Him. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The world will never meet the deepest hunger of your soul until and unless you set yourselves up for eternity! May God have His way in leading you into a joyous illuminating light. Amen!
