The life of Jesus brought a spiritual transition for the world. The prophets Moses, Daniel, and Isaiah wrote pages of his coming that was taught to Israel. They looked for him to come to deliver them from their oppressors. During Jesus time, the oppressor were the Romans. But Christ came for a far greater purpose. He came to save the world from sins. There was no other way to redeem man.
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to him by night. He knew that there was something different about Jesus. The teachings of Christ and his relationship with the people were evident of the presence of God. Jesus taught Nicodemus that to make it to the kingdom you must be born again. The concept of being born again was something that Nicodemus could not understand. The first birth is natural, it os the flesh. The second birth is spiritual, it is faith in the will of God. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being born again is the transformation of the mind t become a new creature in Jesus Christ. It is to know that the desires of flesh is not going to give peace with God. It is to know that God is spiritual. So we must become spiritual, trusting in the sovereignty of God.
Jesus gave a analogy of the works of the Holy Spirit. He compared it to the wind. The wind is at the will of God, it is not seen, yet the results are visible and it is unpredictable. Nicodemus, in his responsibility as a ruler, was probably use to things being straightforward and something that he can see and explain. The works of God are not determined or contained by man. Understanding the scriptures is not based on the position among religious leaders., but the reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Nicodemus was given one of the most powerful lessons recorded in the scriptures that changes the life of every believer. We are not saved on our own merits, only by the grace and power of Christ. For there is no other way. John 3:16 is the scripture that changes the mindset of those who don’t believe. It clearly tells us how much God loves us, who his only begotten son is, and how we can receive the gift of eternal life.
What comes to mind when studying Nicodemus, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” He had a zeal for the truth. Jesus knew his heart. The truth was spoken and his life was changed for the better. At the burial of Christ, he was there with myrrh and aloes.
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God bless you and your families.
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