There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3 NLT
John tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. That detail is important, telling us that he didn’t want to attract attention. He wanted the conversation not to be one the crowds who followed Jesus heard. That’s understandable – he was a prominent Jewish leader, a member of the elite Sanhedrin, and the Jewish leaders were notably in disagreement with Jesus over most everything. But Nicodemus was quietly curious. He came respectfully and ready to listen. He asked questions, not to trap or argue, but to truly learn. It’s interesting that this conversation that was not originally intended for the public became one of the most significant conversations recorded in the Bible, because it reveals key truths about God’s love, the necessity of spiritual rebirth, Christ’s mission, and the work of God’s Spirit in salvation.
When Nick, in the quiet dark of the night illuminated only by stars and candlelight, told Jesus that His miracles were convincing proof that God was with Him, Jesus cut right to the chase. He knew that this good man in front of Him wanted to be right with God. He wanted to be certain of salvation and his place in God’s Kingdom. That’s why he kept all the rules and lived uprightly. But Jesus shocked him and shook his confidence when He immediately passed on the affirmation to directly say, “Unless you are born again you can’t see the Kingdom of God.”
That was confusing and disappointing. This was a requirement Nick didn’t understand, let alone know how to fulfill. Yet this Rabbi, who definitely seemed to know God with verifying miracles, said was an absolute necessity. This rocked the good man. He was very religious; he had great character and unquestioned morality. He had a wonderful life and legacy, but none of this would get him an entrance into the Kingdom. How could an old man be born again? Jesus explained that there are two births, and the one Nick was missing was the second, which was spiritual instead of physical. The Holy Spirit was absolutely essential to a spiritual birth. When He convicts of sin and convinces us God loves us, He works invisibly, but the transforming results are very public. Transforming change begins to happen. It started that night for Nicodemus. We don’t know all the details, but we do know the Holy Spirit was faithful; and Nicodemus eventually put His faith in Jesus. After Jesus died, Nicodemus was following so closely that he helped take Jesus’ body down from the cross and buried him. The Holy Spirit had kept working.
- You may be like Nick. You may not understand it all, and you may lack courage, But come with your questions. The Holy Spirit will start where you are and be faithful.