April 21 – Nicodemus – John 3:1-21
Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews which refers to the Jewish governing body known as the Sanhedrin (later, it will be the Sanhedrin that condemns Jesus). Secretly, Nicodemus show that he respected Jesus as he called Him “Rabbi”, but publicly, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Nicodemus did not get saved for the same reason many will not go to Heaven today. He struggled with the same understanding that many people that claim to be Christians will be turned away from Heaven to spend an eternity in Hell. It is a two-fold understanding that Jesus emphasizes for Nicodemus: 1) Jesus is the Son of God. Nicodemus accepted that Jesus was a good teacher and that God was with Jesus, but not that Jesus is literally the Son of God. 2) Belief is more than knowledge. Many folks today have knowledge and believe that Jesus existed. They even believe that Jesus was crucified, was buried, and rose again; but belief unto salvation is not knowledge. James 2:19 states “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” We know these devils will not be in Heaven. Salvation comes when you repent of your sins, and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Verses 19-21 reveal a life resulting in getting saved. When someone claims Jesus and lives like the devil, there is definitely something wrong. Understanding God’s Word is not happening. When Christ enters a person’s life, that life is changed. His nature changes. It becomes natural to have a desire to please God.
