Day 41 – Issue 16

Be Still Know

John 3:2 NLT

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. ‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.’

It’s interesting that Nicodemus approached Jesus in the night. I know for years I lived with a fear of being exposed as a fraud or for having got something wrong. Mistakes were big issues as I grew up. If something was broken then there was always a thermonuclear reaction from my dad. I realise many of my actions were dictated by my fear of both the reaction, and of carrying the blame.

I constantly lied about things I broke or forgot to do. And this became a habit that was only broken once I came to Christ. So like Nicodemus I preferred to make my discoveries under cover of darkness, away from popular gaze. Such a mentality misshapes how one lives life.

Nicodemus approached Christ in the darkness of his own confusion and sin. He was intrigued by this passionate preacher, yet was blind to the truth that this was the Messiah. All of us approach Christ out of the little we know. There is no shame in this, since at least we are wrestling with the darkness in search of the truth. Sadly as Church we tend to close ranks around the enlightened and leave all those struggling in darkness feeling uncomfortable and fearful of approaching Christ in their confusion.

One thing we note is the integrity of Nicodemus’ leadership. Aware of the responsibility of his office, he recognised that he must explore the movements and influences that shook Judaism in his day. Unwilling to remain constrained by and comfortable within his tradition alone, he chose to consider what God might be saying fresh into his own day and apply his leadership by working to serve the future of his people. To do so meant risking his reputation.

QUESTION: Consider the extent to which your spiritual security lies in what you know and how your church expresses itself.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. I seek you today.