Words of Encouragement

They were preparing for what seemed like the end, the setting of the "Son". He has given his blood for the offering for man's sin. Yet this is not the end, it is only the beginning. The "Son" would soon rise! Have you allowed the "Son" the rise in your life?

No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" - John 7:49-51

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. - John 19:38-40

Nicodemus. From Night to Light. The first scripture is during the time the Pharisees were seeking to get Jesus and we see Nicodemus step forward and defend Jesus by asking the question of doesn't he get a chance to speak for himself.

In the last scripture we see Nicodemus stepping up with one of the disciples of Jesus (who had not been one openly for fear) to seek his body to prepare it for burial. This same Nicodemus that had come to Jesus under the cloak and veil of night comes opening to seek Jesus. He comes this time not to ask questions but to give unto Jesus.

He comes this time bringing gifts. He comes bringing a gift of myrrh just as the wise men had done at the birth of Jesus. This time it is for the burial of Jesus. He comes to service Jesus out of his own wealth.

The scripture does not tell us that Nicodemus had become a follower of Jesus, yet we can see that something about his late night talk with Jesus changed something in him. He had not rejected Jesus. He defended him in front of the chief priest when before he didn't even want any of them to know he was seeking Jesus. He had become a secret friend to Jesus, even if he had not become a constant follower.

He comes openly to ask for Jesus' body to prepare him, when Jesus' own close disciples that walked with him were no where to be seen because of the fear of what may happen to those that followed. These two that were afraid to be known to have relationship with Jesus in life, became those willing to be associated with him in his death.

It would seem to me that something did indeed change in Nicodemus. He went from the fear of what others would think to being bold in his stand. He went from the night to the light. He went from an encounter with Jesus to serving him. He served Jesus in this capacity, that he was willing to come and prepare his body for burial.

What then can we learn from Nicodemus? It becomes an encouragement to know that words spoken to individuals about being born again are not always falling on deaf ears. Sometimes individuals can walk away and it would seem that is the end of the story. Yet, God has not finished the work on them. He is working something out in that individual. They may have come asking questions in the night and God is working to bring them to the light.

While they may not have been willing to show relationship with Jesus openly, there is coming a time when they will be bold in their commitment to his death. The will come and boldly serve him from all that they have.

Again, while we do not have that a conversion happened in Nicodemus, we can see that a work was going on. It is also an encouragement to us not to give up on people.

God has his way of working out the process that sometimes take time. It is our responsibility to keep praying that God's words he speaks to them in the "night", in their hidden states would grow and come to full growth. When one day they can step into the light, into the Light of Christ.

I pray for us today. Lord, you are worth all our praise and worship. Lord thank you for taking the time to teach us and to reach out to us in our darkened state. It was not our own doing but you reaching to us that we too were changed. When we go to worship this week, help us to be an example of Jesus for someone seeking you.

Words of Encouragement

When a student goes to school to learn, they do not already know all the information in the text. Some of it they may know but they do not know it all. At they study, practice and meditate on the information, understanding comes. It is the same with the word of God. We do not know it all, but as we study what is in the text we can began to understand it with practice, meditation and the help of the Holy Spirit.

I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:11-21





Nicodemus. The Truth of God. We left off yesterday with Nicodemus still not understanding the message Jesus was trying to give. We have here Jesus telling Nicodemus what one must do to be born again.



He uses an example that Nicodemus would understand. Nicodemus would have heard about and learned about what Moses did with the snake in the wilderness. That when the people looked upon the snake after they had been bitten by one, they would be healed. Jesus uses this example to express to Nicodemus a spiritual truth through a earthly example. That truth is that when the sting of sin is upon your life you will not live until you look up to the one that can remove the poison of that sin and that is Jesus. Jesus is the way to the Father and the redeemer of man.



Even though Jesus tells Nicodemus that you do not understand, he tells him this truth anyway. Why do you think Jesus did that? I believe it is Jesus showing us to sow seeds even if the ground may not seem ready to receive it. We have no way of knowing what God will do to the soil to prepare it.



We do not see from this scripture how Nicodemus received this seed. I wondered about whatever happened to Nicodemus after this and if you don't know you'll be surprised that he did not just drop off the scene. We'll look at what happened to him tomorrow.



But for today, let us rejoice in the fact that Jesus will give us his truth, even if we are not ready or able to comprehend it all right now. He gives it to us because he wants all to have the opportunity to hear the truth and to be able to make a choice on what they will do. Because of this, no man can say that God has been unfair in his dealings with them, for God is just. For God will make sure that every man hears and what we hear, we are held accountable to.



Lord help us to not only hear your truth today, but help us to understand it, and accept it. Help us not to simply walk away from it.

Words of Encouragement

When you look at this picture you "see" the water, but you cannot see the wind. The evidence of the wind is the kite that is blowing over the water. Lord help us to "see" the evidence of your Spirit at all times.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? - John 3:6-10



Nicodemus. By God's Spirit. Nicodemus could not understand what it was that Jesus was speaking when we left yesterdays scripture. In today's lesson, Jesus continues to teach Nicodemus.



Here, Jesus teaches of the two types of birth. The first, the natural birth many understand when a mother gives birth to a child. That is flesh bringing forth flesh. The second, the spiritual birth, many do not understand that is why Nicodemus was confused.



The spiritual birth is done through the spirit bringing forth a new "child" in what was once only a fleshly one. Jesus goes on to say that the wind blows where it pleases. You know it is there because you can hear it but you cannot see it. You have evidence that it exist but you cannot see it.



It is the same with the Spirit of God. He is there even if you cannot see him. The evidence of his presence is the change he makes in the lives of people. The evidence of his presence is seen by the fruit of the Spirit. (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, - Galatians 5:22).



This is how one is born again, by the Spirit of God. He calls all to whomever the Lord sends him to call for and he changes whomever the Lord instructs. It is not done because of good works, right attitudes or good living, it is all by the power of God through his Spirit.



Nicodemus still could not grasp this understand and says so. Jesus' response to him is, you are a teacher in Israel and you do not understand. We have to understand Nicodemus represents many today. There are those that have great acclaim yet do not understand it is not in their status, or their own power that they are able to understand the kingdom of God.



Yes, God can use all those things to his glory, but they are not the source of our understanding about God. It is plan and simply it is by His Spirit and His Spirit alone.



I pray for us today and rejoice that Jesus took time to explain this mystery to Nicodemus so that you and I could also understand. God thank you for teaching us and giving us the opportunity to know the truth. May we gain the wisdom of God as we release ourselves into your capable hand.



NOTE: Look at yesterdays blog just below to see my tribute to my daughter who will be soon departing for school.

Words of Encouragement

Can this abandoned land restore itself? Can it begin to produce new life without any help? No. Someone has to come and pull out the stones, the hard areas. Some one has to come and turnover the soil and plant the right seeds after they weeds are removed and then it has to be tended to. This is the same with us. We cannot restore ourselves without the help of someone else. That help comes from the Lord. His power will remove the stony heart and turnover the soil so the right seed can be planted. Then he will give us his Spirit who comes to tend the garden to let us know when weeds try to get in so they can be removed.

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. - John 3:3-5

Nicodemus. Can I be Born Again When I am Old? Jesus continues speaking to Nicodemus regarding his statement that Jesus is a good teacher. Jesus tells Nicodemus that in order to see the Kingdom of God, he has to be born again.

Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus is talking about. His question of how can I be born again when I am old? How can I go back into the womb? This must seem such a strange thing for Nicodemus to understand. He is looking at this statement from natural eyesight.

Jesus' response to Nicodemus' question is he explains it again with more information. He tells him that to see the Kingdom of God one must be born of water (cleansing) and Spirit (indwelling and sanctifying).

Do you think Nicodemus truly understands yet? Even though Nicodemus is a Pharisee and therefore verse in the Law he still does not understand the mysteries of God.

Isn't that us sometimes? We sometimes become verse in our traditions, our customs, the rules that we govern ourselves with, but stop short of understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

This is because in order to truly understand God's Kingdom we must be one with the Master. His Spirit is what helps us to understand all truth. His purpose is to guide us into all truth. We miss the great understanding of the mysteries just as Nicodemus did.

We forget the simply truth that we must be born again in order to understand the path of God. It is not our works, our standing, our abilities or gifts that give us understanding and wisdom about God. I am about to begin working on my Masters of Religious Education in a few weeks but I tell you this truth, it is not my education that helps me understand the Kingdom of God. As soon as I begin to think it is, I'll be off the mark. What helps me to understand (which is the same for all of us) is my relationship with the Father through the Son.

God's Spirit has been the one guiding me in all truth even though my path took me going to school. Others may never step into the doors of a college or seminary but they can still understand the mysteries of God, because it is by His Spirit.

Today, my prayer for us is that we seek God to know what we must do or what might be standing in our own ways from us understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom. Lord help us, because even though Nicodemus didn't understand, he did not stop questioning. Help us continue to seek you for those things we do not understand so that you can give us the wisdom we need.

Words of Encouragement

Many things are done in the "dark" under the veil of night. That is because individuals are trying to be hidden so that no one will see what they are doing. Yet, there is nothing hidden from God.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again - John 3:1-3


Nicodemus. Coming in the Night. In this chapter of John we are told a short story about a man named Nicodemus. His story is so short that you may think, what is the reason for even telling it? If you have read the Bible often or if it were your first time picking it up, you will understand no telling of an event is meaningless.


The scripture starts off giving us the detail of Nicodemus' station in life. He is a Pharisee. The Pharisees were a group that were extremely influential in Jesus' day. Their views were based on the Old Testament and their own oral traditions, both of which were considered equally authoritative. He was also one on the ruling counsel of the Jew's.

The Pharisees at this time were hostile toward Jesus because they felt he was lax with respect to their laws, was too accepting of sinful people, and was open to contact with Gentiles. The also believed he made blasphemous claims about himself and his relationship to God. Jesus on his part opposed them because of their legalism, their hypocrisy, and their unwillingness to accept the kingdom of God as represented by him.

So this is who comes to Jesus at night, one of the pharisees. The question is, why did he come at night? Why didn't he come in the morning when Jesus was in the midst of his teaching and talking to individuals? Why come at night? Could he have come at night so as not to be seen? Maybe he did not want to be seen by the others that were rejecting Jesus.


While he is not bold in his coming to seek Jesus, it is important to note he came. When he comes he makes a statement, we know you are a teacher from God because of the works that follow you.


Jesus does not waste time doing a verbal dance with him, he gets right to the point, he tells Nicodemus, you have to be born again in order to see kingdom of God.


What has just happened is this. Nicodemus has come at night because he is intrigued with what he sees Jesus doing, but he is still in the "dark" about who Jesus really is. We know Jesus knew this based on his answer to Nicodemus.

What can we learn from this? There are those that are intrigued by the things of God but are not yet willing to step out in the day and openly seek God. So instead them come in the dark, in the night when no one else will see them. Yet, Jesus still waits for them. Jesus did not leave because the work of the morning was done, he waited for his appointment with Nicodemus. God is waiting for us as well. He is waiting for us even if the work of the day seems over, it never ends for God.


I pray for us today, Lord if there is someone that is not yet openly coming to find your answers, help them find them nonetheless. Help them find an encounter with you so that they will be able to come openly to worship you.