“Night Cometh...”
He came to Jesus under cover of darkness. He had seen and heard things that had no logical explanation, and he was looking for answers. As a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, he was extremely well schooled in the Scriptures, but nothing in his religious education could help him connect the dots with what this Man was doing and preaching. The heart of Nicodemus was stirred - not to come against Jesus as the other Jewish leaders were determined to do, but to learn more.
Quite possibly because he did hold such a prestigious position, Nicodemus may have visited at night to avoid having his reputation tarnished among the other religious leaders. He could’ve been trying to avoid the crowds that followed and surrounded Jesus in the daytime hours. Maybe he just couldn’t wait until morning.
At any rate, in the dark of night, Nicodemus encountered the Light of the World.
In that encounter, he received a message that both confused and captured him. Jesus told him, “You must be born again.” (John 3:3b) With only his earthly understanding, Nicodemus simply couldn’t begin to comprehend the rebirth of a man. Jesus explained that while “flesh gives birth to flesh,” the Spirit of God is the One Who gives life to the soul.
Then Jesus gave the Father’s purpose for sending Him to walk among Nicodemus and the people of his day and us today: “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.” (John 3:16-17)
The Word doesn’t record how Nicodemus responded to this astounding proclamation, but the next time we find him in the pages of the Bible, he has clearly come out of the shadows of fear for his reputation and into unabashed allegiance to Jesus. This member of the Sanhedrin – the governing body of the Jews that had orchestrated the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus – steps up to prepare His tortured, beaten, bloody body for the tomb. (John 19:38-42)
Brothers and sisters, in this nation and at this point in history, following Jesus on the outskirts or in the shadows is a fairly easy road. But I’m here to challenge you – it’s time to step into the light. More than ever, followers of Jesus must hold out hands full of the hope, truth, mercy, direction, and compassion that He offers - no matter the cost. We may have been content to belong to Him and enjoy His benefits and kindnesses – all good. But the Great Commission hasn’t been a fire in our bones. That needs to change.
Because there’s another kind of fire sweeping over the world, leaving people burned, desperate, and critically wounded. Its smoky veil of deceit, evil, and entrapment can only be dispelled by the Light of the World – Jesus Christ. If we’re truly His followers, let us pray for a sense of urgency to spread the message of salvation. Let us pray for boldness. And let us pray for opportunities to be Light-Bearers in the darkness. May we proclaim the Name of Jesus and the saving power of His blood shed for those who would believe - while there’s time.
“Night cometh,” (John 9:4) brothers and sisters. It cometh quickly.
“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 3:19-21
(You can read the full account of the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3:1-21.)
