TRUTH SEEKS EXPOSURE
"But he who practices truth--who does what is right--comes out into the light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are, wrought with God--divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him" (John 3:21 AMP).
The Jewish ruler, Nicodemus, came to Jesus at night and opens his conversation with these words, "We know and are certain that You are come from God." If that is what Nicodemus truly believed, why did he not seek out Jesus in the daytime and say the same words? Because he did not believe the truth. He only wanted to flatter Jesus. Jesus doesn't mince or waste words with Nicodemus, "You must receive the gift of life from above to see [know and experience] the kingdom of God." In the ensuing conversation, the truth about Nicodemus's ignorance and unbelief is exposed. But Jesus doesn't demean him. He gives him the Gospel Truth(see verses 5-21 of John chapter 3).
We don't know the effect that had on Nicodemus until some time later when the chief priests and Pharisees were trying to find some reason to arrest Jesus and kill Him. "Then Nicodemus, who came to Jesus before at night and was one of them (the Jewish leaders), asked, Does our Law convict a man without giving him a hearing and finding out what he has done?" (John 7:50-51) Did Nicodemus's earlier meeting with Jesus stir the desire within him to do what was right? (The truth can have that kind of effect on a person, you know.)
The last time we encounter Nicodemus is when Jesus' body was being prepared for burial. "And Nicodemus also, who at first had come to Jesus by night, came (in the daytime!) bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes [weighing] about a hundred pounds. So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths . . ." (John 19:39-40). Nicodemus was not designated a "disciple of Jesus" like Joseph of Arimathea (see John 19:38), but, Nicodemus no longer "came at night." He came to Jesus in the daylight, fearless and unashamed to be associated with Him.
The Way of righteousness is open to all who seek to travel it; The Truth seeks exposure; eternal Life seeks to be born in the human soul. Whether it be night or day, he who seeks and keeps on seeking will find. Think about it.
"But he who practices truth--who does what is right--comes out into the light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are, wrought with God--divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him" (John 3:21 AMP).
The Jewish ruler, Nicodemus, came to Jesus at night and opens his conversation with these words, "We know and are certain that You are come from God." If that is what Nicodemus truly believed, why did he not seek out Jesus in the daytime and say the same words? Because he did not believe the truth. He only wanted to flatter Jesus. Jesus doesn't mince or waste words with Nicodemus, "You must receive the gift of life from above to see [know and experience] the kingdom of God." In the ensuing conversation, the truth about Nicodemus's ignorance and unbelief is exposed. But Jesus doesn't demean him. He gives him the Gospel Truth(see verses 5-21 of John chapter 3).
We don't know the effect that had on Nicodemus until some time later when the chief priests and Pharisees were trying to find some reason to arrest Jesus and kill Him. "Then Nicodemus, who came to Jesus before at night and was one of them (the Jewish leaders), asked, Does our Law convict a man without giving him a hearing and finding out what he has done?" (John 7:50-51) Did Nicodemus's earlier meeting with Jesus stir the desire within him to do what was right? (The truth can have that kind of effect on a person, you know.)
The last time we encounter Nicodemus is when Jesus' body was being prepared for burial. "And Nicodemus also, who at first had come to Jesus by night, came (in the daytime!) bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes [weighing] about a hundred pounds. So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths . . ." (John 19:39-40). Nicodemus was not designated a "disciple of Jesus" like Joseph of Arimathea (see John 19:38), but, Nicodemus no longer "came at night." He came to Jesus in the daylight, fearless and unashamed to be associated with Him.
The Way of righteousness is open to all who seek to travel it; The Truth seeks exposure; eternal Life seeks to be born in the human soul. Whether it be night or day, he who seeks and keeps on seeking will find. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
