Read John 3:1–21
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night… John 3:1-2b NIV
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Nicodemus believed that Jesus was a teacher sent by God because of the great miracles He performed. But Nicodemus did not have an understanding of saving faith. He was a teacher of the law, but he had not experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. He needed to be born again–not natural birth but spiritual.
Later, as Nicodemus continued to blend in with those who wanted to kill Jesus, they asked, "Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?" The best he could do was to say, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" (John 7:48–51) After the cross, Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea risked their lives to ask for Jesus body, indicating that they were His followers.
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It is very difficult for most of us to speak up about our faith among those who do not believe. But the Holy Spirit can give us the courage to do so. Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so that I will have the courage to share my faith in You.
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Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3NIV
1 comment:
Thanks. This is so important, and you are right, so difficult at times. For some reason religious belief sets a person apart like nothing else. But as Romans 10:14 says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
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