Daily Devotion, October 17, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:1-21.

Nicodemus had seen the signs Jesus was doing and had decided that God must be with Jesus. He was a Pharisee, a very religious Jewish group that basically believed that we must earn God’s favor by perfectly obeying every detail of the law. Clearly, something was missing for Nicodemus, and it appears that he sensed that Jesus had (or was) the answer. He came at night, likely because he did not want to be seen by others as he sought spiritual truth from Jesus, and also this afforded him private time with Jesus. Jesus spoke deep truths to him about the need to be born again (or from above) and about eternal life for believers. Jesus even revealed to Nicodemus that he was God’s Son, sent into the world to save it. Jesus taught Nicodemus and teaches us in this passage that light has come into the world and living in God’s kingdom is living in that light.

Today’s passage does not tell us how Nicodemus responded to all this, except for his “How can this be?” questions. But later, he spoke up at a council meeting, saying that Jesus should not be condemned until he had been given a chance to speak. In the end, he brought spices and helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial. I like to think Nicodemus got it and believed.

Personal Worship Option:

Rejoice in the Good News in this passage – Jesus came into the world to save us, not to condemn us and the world. We have the opportunity to live in the light of God’s kingdom right here and now. Let that Good News flow through you and then share it with someone today!