Nicodemus
Author: Pat Aman
11/15-1999/rev2021
In studying today, I thought of Nicodemus. And the devotion I wrote many years ago.
“I Wonder When Did Nicodemus Believe?
Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shines.”
At John 3:1-3 tells us that Nicodemus first came to Jesus under the cover of darkness, a questioner: “Who are you really? How can a man be born again?” Jesus answered his questions, and raised more. But John does not say that Nicodemus believed.
Perhaps he mulled the questions and answers over, for St. John 7: 50-52, tells us he defended Jesus when other Pharisees accused him: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” But John still does not say he believed.
Then, unexpectedly, St. John 19: 39-40, shows Nicodemus performing an act of great faith. When Joseph of Arimathes took Jesus’ body down from the cross, Nicodemus came with expensive spices and helped anoint the body for burial. According to Hebrew law this made him unclean, he could not celebrate Passover. Further, it publicly identified him with Jesus when even the disciples had fled.
I wonder when Nicodemus decided to believe in Jesus, in a blinding moment, or by a slow process of growth?
John’s way of telling the story of Nicodemus shows me that when we first believe is not what really matters. What matters is that we, like Nicodemus, finally arrive at Jesus, to offer our wealth, our reputation, our entire being and our service.
I wonder, if Nicodemus had come to us by night, we would have like Jesus taken time to answer his questions? Even worse, would we might have just assumed that Nicodemus was was a good person, and he did not need Jesus, because he was already good?
How many people will be in Hell because we did not take the time to talk to them, but, we judge the good are bad situation of their lives incorrectly?
Judging people is a fault in this world today. People read the Facebook, papers and listen to every media outlet, and believe everything that is in it.
I feel that we do not need to judge someone until we walk in their shoes.
Maybe even meet with the person that we are judging and find the true facts about the story. Then we would learned the truth as well as find out that the person just like Nicodemus is doing greater things in the community that is helping people. But, that person needs your love, mercy, grace.
So, before you judge someone, remember God tell us that we should not judge our brother and sister, but lift them up in the Holy Love of God.
Remember one day you may fall, and it just may be the person you have judged and torn down, that will be there to lift you up.
Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2021 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of
© Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….
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