The story of Nicodemus and his night encounter with Jesus is truly one of my favorite moments in the Bible. He is an unlikely character to request this meeting, and I believe we see real glimpses into his heart through the text.
I don’t know if you ever have those moments where you’re sitting in church, and hear something and you just know you’ll have to wrestle with it later? I definitely had one of those moments this Sunday!
Pastor Jason was sharing how Jesus really challenged Nicodemus in this story and in a way said, “why don’t you understand this yet?” After explaining to him this concept of being “reborn”.
Pastor Jason was communicating that there are times where Jesus seems to “call out” or “call higher” people who are not getting it. And in my spirit I’m wondering, “But this isn’t the Jesus I know? He doesn’t make me feel bad when I don’t know something?”
This internal conflict of what I’m seeing in scripture vs. the Jesus I have in my mind and in my heart are two things that do need to be reconciled.
I don’t let these things go…but instead, I choose to wrestle with the Lord through them.
I brought Him my questions: Lord, this doesn’t sound like you? Why are you talking to Nicodemus like this? Is this how you feel about me? Do you expect certain things that I haven’t achieved or understood?
He gently guided me to what is true in this very story: Nicodemus was a man that hungered for true wisdom and knowledge in Christ. He wanted answers. And it wasn’t just about “head knowledge” answers…he was pursuing Jesus at night and away from the crowds in a way that wouldn’t cause a scene because he wanted the real truth. Unfiltered.
So Jesus gave him a very unfiltered answer. He got directly to the point. And in this moment where he essentially says, “don’t you know these things?” I believe He is challenging Nicodemus intellectually and spiritually.
From what I see throughout the life of Jesus, He has a specific and unique approach for every single person. There is no factory-express answer to His children. He approaches them one by one…often going straight to the heart.
Jesus is thoughtful with those He loves. He speaks to the woman at the well differently than He spoke to Nicodemus. He rebuked the Pharisees in a way that sharply contrasted His tenderness toward Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue whose daughter was very sick. His words and tone and communication all depend on who He is speaking to, but He always speaks the truth in love.
Jesus knows what Nicodemus is after…the truth. And He is willing to challenge his thinking in order to get him there. He also knows that Nicodemus can handle the challenge. We notice in his response that Nicodemus is not easily offended, or shying away from the sharp challenge Jesus gave him. No, he continues to pursue truth. And we will see that Nicodemus continues that pursuit all throughout Jesus’ earthly life.
I think I can learn a thing or two from Nicodemus. One being that I don’t have to be afraid of Christ’s conviction and confrontation in my own heart. If He chooses to speak to me like He did with Nicodemus, I can receive it with the same hunger for truth that Nicodemus himself did. I can choose to not be offended by my Savior, but to remember that His discipline is always done out of love. The second thing I want to take away from Nicodemus is this: If I truly seek out the truth, I will find it.
Like Jeremiah 29:13 encourages us: “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NKJV)
This hunger for God’s truth is something He put deep inside of us, just like Nicodemus. Thankfully, we don’t have to approach Him in the secret of the night. We can freely seek out these answers and talk to Him at anytime, anywhere. We have that kind of access.
Just like I had to wrestle with the character of Jesus this week, I hope that you take the opportunity to bring to Him anything that weighs heavy on your heart. The more honest we are with Him, the more our hearts begin to open up to His answers. Don’t ever forget that we have a loving Savior who longs to speak with us each and every day. Talk to Him friend, He can handle it.
I don’t know if you ever have those moments where you’re sitting in church, and hear something and you just know you’ll have to wrestle with it later? I definitely had one of those moments this Sunday!
Pastor Jason was sharing how Jesus really challenged Nicodemus in this story and in a way said, “why don’t you understand this yet?” After explaining to him this concept of being “reborn”.
Pastor Jason was communicating that there are times where Jesus seems to “call out” or “call higher” people who are not getting it. And in my spirit I’m wondering, “But this isn’t the Jesus I know? He doesn’t make me feel bad when I don’t know something?”
This internal conflict of what I’m seeing in scripture vs. the Jesus I have in my mind and in my heart are two things that do need to be reconciled.
I don’t let these things go…but instead, I choose to wrestle with the Lord through them.
I brought Him my questions: Lord, this doesn’t sound like you? Why are you talking to Nicodemus like this? Is this how you feel about me? Do you expect certain things that I haven’t achieved or understood?
He gently guided me to what is true in this very story: Nicodemus was a man that hungered for true wisdom and knowledge in Christ. He wanted answers. And it wasn’t just about “head knowledge” answers…he was pursuing Jesus at night and away from the crowds in a way that wouldn’t cause a scene because he wanted the real truth. Unfiltered.
So Jesus gave him a very unfiltered answer. He got directly to the point. And in this moment where he essentially says, “don’t you know these things?” I believe He is challenging Nicodemus intellectually and spiritually.
From what I see throughout the life of Jesus, He has a specific and unique approach for every single person. There is no factory-express answer to His children. He approaches them one by one…often going straight to the heart.
Jesus is thoughtful with those He loves. He speaks to the woman at the well differently than He spoke to Nicodemus. He rebuked the Pharisees in a way that sharply contrasted His tenderness toward Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue whose daughter was very sick. His words and tone and communication all depend on who He is speaking to, but He always speaks the truth in love.
Jesus knows what Nicodemus is after…the truth. And He is willing to challenge his thinking in order to get him there. He also knows that Nicodemus can handle the challenge. We notice in his response that Nicodemus is not easily offended, or shying away from the sharp challenge Jesus gave him. No, he continues to pursue truth. And we will see that Nicodemus continues that pursuit all throughout Jesus’ earthly life.
I think I can learn a thing or two from Nicodemus. One being that I don’t have to be afraid of Christ’s conviction and confrontation in my own heart. If He chooses to speak to me like He did with Nicodemus, I can receive it with the same hunger for truth that Nicodemus himself did. I can choose to not be offended by my Savior, but to remember that His discipline is always done out of love. The second thing I want to take away from Nicodemus is this: If I truly seek out the truth, I will find it.
Like Jeremiah 29:13 encourages us: “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NKJV)
This hunger for God’s truth is something He put deep inside of us, just like Nicodemus. Thankfully, we don’t have to approach Him in the secret of the night. We can freely seek out these answers and talk to Him at anytime, anywhere. We have that kind of access.
Just like I had to wrestle with the character of Jesus this week, I hope that you take the opportunity to bring to Him anything that weighs heavy on your heart. The more honest we are with Him, the more our hearts begin to open up to His answers. Don’t ever forget that we have a loving Savior who longs to speak with us each and every day. Talk to Him friend, He can handle it.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.