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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Nick-at-Night-e1vinvh
View podcast here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7204685043044814122?lang=en
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:1-17 NIV)
When we hear the word Pharisee we have mostly negative thoughts about this group. As a group they were not known for effective leadership nor compassionate ministry. They seemed to have been very protective of their status and power than they were about serving God or God's people. Their history with Jesus in all the gospels is less than positive. They led the charge to arrest and kill Jesus, after all, so that's not in their favor. But here on this night, we meet Nicodemus. Nick was an important man for this verse says that he as a member of the Jewish ruling council. And if you have been watching The Chosen, the series on Jesus' life, you get a glimpse of the side of Nick that led to this meeting with Jesus. The series shows that Nicodemus did have a spiritual side; a concern about spiritual things and that he saw the before and after Mary Magdelene and wondered about what power could change a woman like that. The series does show that the demon-possessed woman was set free from all she had by Jesus. That set Nick to wonder about Him and how he could meet Him to talk to Him.
The only way for an important Jewish council ruler to meet with a renegade rabbi was at night. The cover of darkness was what he needed to carry out his wish. Nick came to Jesus which showed his earnest desire to talk with Him and find out from Him that which he wanted to know. And once in HIs presence, he says that he knows Jesus is a teacher from God. That in and of itself was a dangerous declaration for a Pharisee to make; and he further says, "For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Himl." Nicodemus has confirmed his belief that not only is Jesus from God, but God is with Him.
Jesus says now things that confuse the Pharisee. "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Nick asks the obvious, "How can someone be born when they are old?" You know Nick was right in asking what he asked, for Jesus has shared a profound theological statement that set the world upside down. Jesus is calling for those who want to be of the kingdom of God to be born again, meaning to belong to a spiritual kingdom, one must be born spiritually; a new birth. Jesus further explains, "Flesh give birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
The discussion continues with Jesus speaking more of the importance of a spiritual birth vesus a fleshly existance. Then Jesus declares that which is among the greatest of the konwn Jesus statements, verse 16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him hsall not perish but have eternal life." BOOM. The is the verse that has been placed on television, movies, books, almost all media that declares the truth of God's love. But we must not forget the verse right behind it, "For God did not send Hius Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." Amen.
This is the Gospel in one verse. It's about God's love and God loving us so much, and that God gives. And it sunk in, we believe, with Nicodemus, for when we read about him next, he's among those who want to claim Jesus' body (John 19:39). We sadly, do not know what Nick did with his life after this night meeting. But it seems that he did keep up with Jesus' goings and comings for him to have known when Jesus was being held on trial, then the crucifixion. Nicodemus lived in Jerusalem and it was easy for him to follow the movement of Jesus. And when the Easter event happened, he was there to accompany Joseph of Arimethea to claim Jesus' body. It would have been interesting to know what all Nick did after his meeting with Jesus. Did her become a believer? Did he work actively to support Jesus and to counter the efforts of the Pharisees to murder Jesus? That and many other questions we may have will not be answered until we get to Heaven, but until then we know that we must be true to God and allow God to lead us as God did for Nick. You never know where this will lead you.
PRAYER: Loving God, guide me. Let me be true to You and learn from You. Help me follow Your Spirit so that I may bless others; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Even if it's by night, seek Jesus!
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
**PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for a precious 5 month-old baby in Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. She had a heart cath as she was born in September 7 weighting 1 lb 2 oz. She's ten pounds now but still having heart problems. Her grandmother is from our church in Skidmore and a very active woman of faith, Ms. Barbara Seger. Lift up Roslyn and Barbara, and all the family. Also, Mr. Jorge Saenz had some scares and is awaiting further exams at M. D. Anderson in Houston. Pray for his wellbeing and complete healing.
