“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 they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
The Pharisee Nicodemus spoke to Jesus under the cover of night so that others wouldn’t see him. The political tensions with the teachers of the law and Jesus were already high. Still Nicodemus, it seems, was an open minded man want to understand just who Jesus was. Nicodemus even acknowledges Jesus as Rabbi in verse 2 of chapter 3 and goes on to state “We know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with you.” Nicodemus is seeking out Jesus…He is questioning, and Jesus gives him answers. Their discussion centers around what it means to be “born again” not in some physical sense but in a spiritual and life altering transformation.
This intimate moment with Jesus, Nicodemus comes face to face with the Messiah – God’s chosen one who has come to deliver not just the Jews but the whole world. Nicodemus sought out Jesus for himself. He was curious, and he asked wanted to know more. This conversation was done one on one, a conversation that begged for answers, and Jesus gave them to Nicodemus. It doesn’t say in the scriptures if Nicodemus became a follower of Christ, but he was present after the crucifixion, and many have speculated that He did indeed become a member of the early Christian church…but it all started here at night with a conversation with a very personal Jesus.
Some of us only know Jesus when we are in large groups while at church. Some find worship to be the only encounter they have with Jesus in their week. But Jesus comes to each of us and longs for us to have that one on one time with Him. He wants to hear from us, and even longs for us to ask the hard questions of life. He comes to us willing to pour out His love upon us and to partake in this life with us. This is a very personal relationship. The corporate setting at church is wonderful, and we mustn’t discount that by any means, but we ought to crave those intimate moments with Jesus too. This is where we can begin to thrive as followers of Christ. This is where the conversation starts – in our silence and our prayers to Him. This is where life becomes transformed and renewed. Something mysterious and wondrous that words cannot even explain takes place when we specifically and intentionally set aside time to commune with Jesus. Oh that each of us encounter Jesus this way today! Find that time, set it aside…and seek your own personal Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I love to have these intimate moments with you in my life. I come seeking you, Lord find me and speak to me today. Help me to know and understand you. I long to commune with you on a personal level. Scripture tells me that you are closer than any brother can be – be with me now, I invite you to participate in my day. Thank you for making this possible. Thank you for your love in my life! In your name I pray these things. -Amen.
Pastor's Ponderings 
Leave a Reply