John 7:50-51
“Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
John 7:50-51
Think about your time in high school; of all the cliques. You had the athletes, the nerds, the populars, and the arts. Most people fell into a clique, or a category. Each of them were different, but typically everyone in the group had similarities and were following something. In John 7:50-51, it describes Nicodemus as “one of their own number” meaning, a Pharisee. He was “one of them.” He fit into the religious crowd of people who were skeptical of Jesus. They didn’t believe that this seemingly regular man was the Messiah. In all honesty, it seems as if the Pharisees were blinded from the Truth due to their pride and stubbornness. They saw the same miracles and wonders happening that Nicodemus did.
Nicodemus’ testimony began with him being a follower in the crowd of Pharisees. He was skeptical of Jesus, even though he could see something was different about him. He couldn’t quite scratch that itch. He wanted to understand why people’s lives were radically changing around him. Slowly, Nicodemus began to peel himself away from being “one of them.” He asked Jesus questions to gain understanding and grew in courage and confidence in who Jesus said He was.
This didn’t come without consequences for him, though. He was ridiculed as the Pharisees were stubbornly set to destroy Jesus instead of understanding the Truth. Verse 50 says that Nicodemus SPOKE UP! He not only turned from follower to fan, he was loud about it! When we are fans of a sports team, we wear hoodies and hats LOUDLY and PROUDLY! He wasn’t afraid to remove himself from the group that he was familiar with. He knew the Truth and didn’t let fear stop him.
Nicodemus’ testimony began in fear as a follower of the Pharisees and ended as a bold fan of Jesus! This is what Jesus does. This is what the Gospel does! All of our testimonies begin in fear and uncertainty about who Jesus is. But at some point in our lives, we are radically transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We gain confidence and boldness to be loud and proud about Jesus and we share His light with those around us.
John 7:50-51
Think about your time in high school; of all the cliques. You had the athletes, the nerds, the populars, and the arts. Most people fell into a clique, or a category. Each of them were different, but typically everyone in the group had similarities and were following something. In John 7:50-51, it describes Nicodemus as “one of their own number” meaning, a Pharisee. He was “one of them.” He fit into the religious crowd of people who were skeptical of Jesus. They didn’t believe that this seemingly regular man was the Messiah. In all honesty, it seems as if the Pharisees were blinded from the Truth due to their pride and stubbornness. They saw the same miracles and wonders happening that Nicodemus did.
Nicodemus’ testimony began with him being a follower in the crowd of Pharisees. He was skeptical of Jesus, even though he could see something was different about him. He couldn’t quite scratch that itch. He wanted to understand why people’s lives were radically changing around him. Slowly, Nicodemus began to peel himself away from being “one of them.” He asked Jesus questions to gain understanding and grew in courage and confidence in who Jesus said He was.
This didn’t come without consequences for him, though. He was ridiculed as the Pharisees were stubbornly set to destroy Jesus instead of understanding the Truth. Verse 50 says that Nicodemus SPOKE UP! He not only turned from follower to fan, he was loud about it! When we are fans of a sports team, we wear hoodies and hats LOUDLY and PROUDLY! He wasn’t afraid to remove himself from the group that he was familiar with. He knew the Truth and didn’t let fear stop him.
Nicodemus’ testimony began in fear as a follower of the Pharisees and ended as a bold fan of Jesus! This is what Jesus does. This is what the Gospel does! All of our testimonies begin in fear and uncertainty about who Jesus is. But at some point in our lives, we are radically transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We gain confidence and boldness to be loud and proud about Jesus and we share His light with those around us.
Posted in Devotional