Nic at Night

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  (John 3:1-6)

Nic approached Jesus with a preamble – the beginning of a speech he’d no doubt rehearsed many times in anticipation of this opportunity to speak with Jesus. And he didn’t even get to say all he’d rehearsed! Jesus was ready to talk directly to the heart of this man.  Jesus, in the 3rd verse, responds to what was on Nicodemus’ heart; the reason why he was there. Apparently this “teacher of Israel” did not have a complete grasp on the concept of salvation and he secretly sought Jesus to explain it to him. Jesus not only educated him but Nicodemus’ heart was changed. Although Nic came to Jesus under the cover of night (a sign of shame), we read subsequently that he became a devoted, public follower of Christ and even had the privilege of caring for His body after crucifixion.

Nicodemus came to Jesus and said some things but Jesus responded, by the Spirit, to what was in his heart. Isn’t that what He does!?!? He responded to the Pharisees’ hardened hearts, He responded to the heart of the woman caught in adultery, He responded too those seeking healing for loved ones, He responded to the woman at the well, He responded to the disciples, He responded… And today, Jesus is still responding. He knows the cry of our heart. He knows what resides within us. Therefore, we can come to Jesus in whatever state we are in (trusting, ashamed, unsure, or hopeful), and He will respond to our heart.  And if we are like Nic, with a desire to truly learn from the Master, His word will change our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)