Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a part of the Sanhedrin. He had
been in many trial rooms listening to defenses and prosecutors. When Jesus
spoke of a ‘verdict’, Nicodemus knew what that was. The decision was about to
be laid down and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
John 3:19, ‘This is the verdict: Light has
come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their
deeds were evil.’
Jesus was speaking of himself-the Light. He
had come not so that we could add Christianity to our lives, but that our lives
would be completely changed by the Light. Nicodemus had come to Jesus to find
out who he was and see if there was a teaching of Jesus that he could add to
his life. Jesus had something else for Nicodemus. To follow Jesus and see the
Kingdom of God, you are to be born again. No matter how good of a Pharisee
Nicodemus was, Jesus was asking for him to completely restart his spiritual life.
For Non-Christians: Your spiritual life is
not separate from your everyday life. Whether you profess to have a belief in
God or not, you have a relationship. God has a deep relationship with you-He
loves you! This love came to a climax as He allowed His son to be crucified on
a cross for the sins of the world, and yes that includes you. As a Christian, I
apologize for the way we have represented our Savior. We have not loved you
enough to help you understand the Light. Our hope is that you would recognize your relationship with your heavenly Father and realize how much He loves you and cares for you. And in response to that love you live a holy life in honor of Him.
The verdict-you need to be born again.
For Christians: Nicodemus thought he was
saved and that he was in favor with God. He believed that he had his ticket for
the kingdom of God. He was wrong. Jesus pointed out that even if you call
yourself a religious person or a Christian and love the darkness, you are not
following the Light. Think of your Christian past. When you accepted Christ and
claimed to be ‘born again’, did your life change? If no, see below.
The verdict-you need to be born again.
Light has come into the world.
-PC
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