Nicodemus

In one of the pivotal conversations in history, Jesus told Nicodemus something really quite amazing. He said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6 KJV) Do you ever notice the spiritual dimensions of life? Out of all the animals on the planet, only man concerns himself with spiritual things. Ever wonder why that’s so?

The Forgotten Dimension

As wonderful as our furry family members can be, they don’t have spiritual awareness. Animals don’t debate morality, they don’t pray, they don’t pass laws, they don’t worship God, and they just really don’t pay attention to spiritual things. They have emotions, yes, and they can even love after a fashion; but they’ll never understand spiritual things. Man alone has a spirit. Like it or not, the spiritual dimension is clearly around us humans all the time, even when we don’t notice, and especially when we just flat-out ignore it…

The Optional Dimension?

Now, that doesn’t mean that a man HAS to notice spiritual things. He can stay as carnal (fleshly) and as practical as he wants to. In fact, millions of people disregard spiritual things because they require physical evidence, or it could be that they just choose not to see them. But the spiritual dimension is always there, waiting to unveil its power and beauty, pointing to something more profound and moving than the empirical facts suggest. The Bible speaks about being born in the Spirit. One can only infer that a spiritual birth leads to the experience of a spiritual life.

There’s a country song that talks about “beer goggles”, which can affect your eyesight and perception when you’ve had a few too many. Apparently that condition exists in the spiritual world as well, because Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” As Jesus told Nicodemus, our “natural” man won’t perceive God’s will, or love, or wisdom until he is “born of the Spirit”. If you are living “in the flesh”, there is a whole heavenly dimension available to you, just waiting to transform and to elevate not only you but everything you experience!

So, What’s the Difference?

A sunset can merely be a cosmological array of physical properties—flesh—but the way it moves you with its beauty speaks to something deeper (perhaps an artist of the highest caliber)—spirit. A history book can be a bunch of dry facts—flesh—but when we find ourselves motivated by the gallant acts or lofty notions from those who have gone before, well then—spirit! And a kiss can be merely osculation, which is the physical contact of two curved surfaces between a common tangent—flesh—or it can be—well, you know… It can take your breath away, and speak to the passion and love behind it!

Elevation over Sensation

It’s interesting to me that if you live in the flesh you will minimize the Spirit, and lose its enhanced perspective and all of its attendant blessings. But if you live in the Spirit, you can actually elevate the experience in the flesh and complete it by allowing it to be all that it was intended to be. A kiss can merely be the exchange of saliva, it can even be limited to lust, OR it can be—LOVE! It can point to something more profound and moving than the empirical facts suggest!

The more we stay in the flesh, the less we experience the spiritual aspect of things. And the more we live in the spirit, then… That’s right! The more it gives meaning to life, and it elevates the true meaning behind everything.

The Why

Jesus didn’t encourage Nicodemus to be born of the Spirit so he could live a life of drudgery and self-flagellation. He was encouraging him discover who he was made to be. God’s purpose for us is not to live like animals but to discover another dimension to life above and beyond mere flesh. The question is, have you found it? Are you discovering something more than mere flesh? Read John 3 and listen to what Jesus told Nicodemus. You may just unlock a whole new dimension…

Flesh or Spirit?

Are we merely carnal creatures?
What can set mankind apart?
Is it instinct? Are there features
That transcend the human heart?

When I live in stress or tension,
When I limit how I feel,
There’s a spiritual dimension
Where God’s love is fresh and real!

Let me walk in realms of glory,
Even with my feet of clay;
Help me see salvation’s story
Every ordinary day.

Into Thy hands I commend my Spirit,
More than just in words or talk;
Make my heart like Yours—or near it;
Help my feet to walk the walk.

As I sense the world around me,
Let me see you, Lord, afresh;
Let your loving heart surround me
In the Spirit, and the flesh.

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Years ago, there was a Certs Breath Mint commercial where two people were arguing: “Certs is a candy mint. No, Certs is a breath mint!” And the announcer would say, ” Stop. You’re both right! It’s two, two, two mints in one!” In another vintage commercial, Doublemint gum used to advertise, “Double your pleasure, double your fun: try Doublemint, Doublemint gum!” Today’s advertisers like BOGO (Buy One, Get One) to utilize the lure of two for one. Well, there was once a man who discovered that he could have TWO birthdays! Here’s his story, and it’s a better two-fer than gum or breath mints:

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:1-3, NIV)

The Original “Nick at Night”

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling council known as the Sanhedrin. This group of up to 71 men, comprised of Scribes, Pharisees and Elders, became increasingly antagonistic towards Jesus as he conducted his public ministry. That’s probably why Nicodemus had to visit “at night”. He couldn’t risk censure by such a powerful group of co-workers, and was not yet sure where he stood. But he was impressed enough with Jesus’ work to acknowledge that God’s hand was upon Him, and honest enough to seek the truth.

When Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again, it was puzzling to the Jewish leader, and he asked how such a thing could be. Jesus explained that it was a spiritual thing; you cannot see the Kingdom of God unless you have had a spiritual birthday to go with your physical one. He told him, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit”, and he encouraged Nicodemus to pursue the type of new life that was only available through God’s spirit.

Birthdays…

In May, I got to celebrate my birthday on May 9, and, since I was BORN on Mother’s Day, every so often it falls on Mother’s Day!. (Double bonus! At our house, though, we kinda like to celebrate birthdays all week long, and there’s even a card you can buy on Amazon that actually encourages that!) But it always causes me to reflect on my birthday, which then causes me to reflect on my OTHER birthday!
https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Birthday-Week-Book-thats/dp/1539326918

My actual birth day was apparently pretty difficult. My momma always told me I was lucky to make it. I was very premature, an RH baby, and apparently had a couple of medical issues that were touch and go. She used to tell me that the doctors told her I wasn’t going to live, but the Lord saved me for a reason. I’ve always been reminded of her belief about this time each year. I have to admit there are times when I’ve wondered if it was true…

My 3 kids would tell you there are at least THREE great reasons that God saved me as an infant, and to be honest, I’d have a hard time thinking of anything better or more important than having helped to bring them into the world. I got to be in the delivery room with Nancy and hold each one of them moments after they arrived on THEIR birthday!

Twice the Celebration!

But as meaningful as my birth story has been for me, and as meaningful as their birth events were, I am even more grateful for the fact that all of them have all experienced another birthday, the kind Jesus discussed with Nicodemus. I was “born again” the summer of 1968 at YMCA camp Flaming Arrow near Kerrville, Texas, when I came to realize that Jesus was more than just an amazing Rabbi. I read what he said to Nicodemus in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus wasn’t talking ONLY to Nicodemus, he was telling ALL of us we could be born again! I read that, and decided to follow him, thereby gaining another birthday.

That’s the birthday that happens as a result of seeing who Jesus is, and trusting in what He did for us on the cross. That’s the birth that granted spiritual life, participation in God’s word, and adoption into God’s family. And as fun as it is to have a party on our original birthday, I think the celebration that awaits us because of our second birthday will be beyond our wildest expectations! So during my birthday WEEK (or YOUR birthday week!), my wish is that YOU would consider this conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. And pick yourself up a second set of cake and candles!

THE BIRTHDAY WEEK CARD

I was getting you a birthday card,
Which really wasn’t very hard,
But I saw this, and so I said,
“It’s good for the heart and good for the head!
So this is what I got, instead…
Read it every day. You’ll find
It will bless your heart and help your mind.
Once again, the time is near to celebrate another year!

This year the baker had to make more room for candles on your cake,
And friends and family couldn’t wait to wish you well, and celebrate!
But getting wiser can be hard, so this is more than just a card:
There is wisdom, if you look, within the pages of this book.
Spend some time with God each day, and you will grow a different way:
Intellectually stimulated, personally motivated, spiritually activated,
Ego properly deflated, you will wonder why you waited!
Read a page each day this week, and if you listen, God will Speak!

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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.” (John 3:1-2, NIV) This original “Nick at Night” provides far more drama than your average TV show…

The Pharisee Who Took a Chance

It has often been speculated that Nicodemus went to Jesus at night because of the risks involved. If the ruling council saw his actions as supporting or endorsing Jesus, it could have had serious consequences for him, since they considered Jesus to be a dangerous blasphemer. For associating with Jesus, Nicodemus could have been thrown off the council, affecting not only his church standing but his livelihood as well. At the very least he would endured harsh criticism and zealous persecution.

On the other hand, perhaps he went at the council’s request, and was there as an intermediary to try to get a fix on Jesus and report back. But, the fact that he went at night suggests that he was avoiding public scrutiny, and was not there on behalf of the Sanhedrin. If that was the case, then he was risking ostracism, persecution, and the loss of his social (and vocational) position in Jerusalem. Since he took such a huge chance, I think it likely that he was just an honest man, seeking the truth about Jesus.

Most Important Conversation: Really?

Whatever his motives, this talk between Nick at Night and Jesus became arguably the most quoted and pivotal conversation in all of human history. It certainly contains perhaps the best-known and most quoted Bible verse. From this brief encounter we get “born again” (v 3); “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit” (v 6); and the fact that the Son of Man must be lifted up (v 15). And from this brief conversation, we get this:

“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.” (v 16).

If you’ve never read that verse before, read again and think about what it means. It’s the verse everyone knows, and the most quoted verse in the Bible. It rocked Nicodemus’ world, and it changed his life. From the snapshots we get of Nicodemus later in John’s Gospel, a story of transformation emerges. In John 7 he subtly advocated on Jesus’ behalf in the Sanhedrin. He was still on the council, but flies in the face of the overriding hatred of Jesus.

The Rest of the Story

And then this: We see Nicodemus again in the terrible aftermath of the cross, helping to take down Jesus’ body to prepare it for burial (John 20:39). He has stepped out of the shadows of night to identify with him even when it no longer seems to matter. By performing this service, Nicodemus indeed places himself in the crosshairs of the Sanhedrin as a dangerous nonconformist. He risks his life and his reputation to identify with Jesus the crucified “criminal”.

This conversation from John Chapter three obviously meant something to him. The real question is, however: what does it mean to YOU?

Late at night, he smelled the alleyways;
Secretly, he stalked the truth in silence.
Darkness fouled his progress with its murky haze;
The echoes whispered softly, and with violence…
The Inner Council would not see his coming here
As anything but blatant heresy;
His heart beat faster as he walked along in fear,
A lonely and conflicted Pharisee…

He paused before the doorway, now unsure,
Should this conversation even start?
He wavered now, so righteous, so impure,
Listening to the beating of his heart…
The quiet night created space for him to doubt;
What would happen to him if they knew?
What penalty awaited him if they found out?
Should he be here? Or run? What should he do?
He froze in fear of who he’d meet behind that door;
Confused anxiety almost made him run,
But Nicodemus knocked because he wanted more,
And Jesus smiled and said, “Come in, my son”.

The Original Bo Jackson | Christian Daily Devotionals

An ordinary guy provides a daily dose of wisdom from an extraordinary book

Tag Archives: Nicodemus

Flesh is Flesh, Spirit is Spirit: Can You See it? Do You Hear it?

The Forgotten Dimension

The Optional Dimension?

So, What’s the Difference?

Elevation over Sensation

The Why

Flesh or Spirit?

Birthday Celebrations are Great! Why Not Have TWO instead of One?

The Original “Nick at Night”

Birthdays…

Twice the Celebration!

THE BIRTHDAY WEEK CARD

Nicodemus at Night: The Most Important Conversation in History

The Pharisee Who Took a Chance

Most Important Conversation: Really?

The Rest of the Story

Nicodemus

The Forgotten Dimension

The Optional Dimension?

So, What’s the Difference?

Elevation over Sensation

The Why

Flesh or Spirit?

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The Original “Nick at Night”

Birthdays…

Twice the Celebration!

THE BIRTHDAY WEEK CARD

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The Pharisee Who Took a Chance

Most Important Conversation: Really?

The Rest of the Story

Nicodemus

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