Life Lessons From 25 New Testament CharactersНамуна

Born Again by Belief

Nicodemus was knowledgeable in the Scriptures (The Old Testament). He was a Religious Leader called a Pharisee. In our day, we would say that he “went to church” and knew a lot about religion. People in his society considered him one of the most perfect, "close-to-God" humans you could find. As Israel’s Teachers, he and his group of Pharisees set the bar for following God. But then, Nicodemus heard Jesus teaching day after day; often observing his friends trying to trap and punish Jesus for His teachings. They were threatened, but Nicodemus was intrigued by Jesus. Meeting Jesus one night in secret changed everything. He wanted to learn from Jesus. Even though it was counter-culture, counter-clique, and counter-religious, Nicodemus sought after Jesus. That night Jesus Christ broke down what the Scriptures said about how to be made right with God — being born again in the Spirit by belief in Jesus!

THINK and PRAY:

Is your faith in Christ growing both privately and publically?

Nicodemus is well-known for not understanding the truth of Scripture, specifically what it meant to be “born again” by the Spirit of God. Jesus exclaimed, “How can you, a teacher of Israel, not understand this?” Obviously, Jesus knew that Nicodemus’ eyes had not been opened to what the Scriptures actually pointed to in so many Old Testament passages. Knowledge about God’s Word and keeping the rules wouldn’t give Nicodemus a place in God’s Kingdom (or Family). His misguided knowledge couldn’t save him even though he appeared to be religious. He needed to learn from God - Jesus Himself - that the secret to being born again and made into a new, sinless person wasn’t about physical appearance. Belief in Christ is what saves! We know that Nicodemus responded in faith at some point, because we see him changing little by little. He defended Jesus at His crucifixion trial and later stepped up with another religious leader, Joseph of Arimathea (who also came out of hiding his faith in Christ), to boldly care for the body of Christ. The slow, hidden faith that came to Nicodemus grew bolder and more public. He had met the Person who all the Scriptures point us to needing: Christ the Lord and Savior! Do you know Him and have you been “born again” by belief in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior?