Even if we feel grounded in our beliefs, our faith is constantly being tested. There will be things that we simply cannot understand in God’s Word. Tests in life make us wonder if God hears our prayers. Faith doesn’t just happen. It’s a process, whereby the Holy Spirit enters us through baptism and hearing and learning from the Bible. Once the Spirit is within us, we yearn to learn more about God and all His attributes. Still, the thought of believing in something unseen, seems impossible to many.

A member of the ruling council of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus was well versed in the scriptures and believed in the God of his fathers.  He knew a Messiah was promised to save his people, but Jesus was hardly what was expected.  Other than the fact that He performed miracles and spoke the truth of God, Jesus was a simple man from Nazareth – nothing spectacular – certainly not the King they had waited for.  Still there was something about Him that drew Nicodemus in.

He visited Jesus under the darkness of night, being sure not to be seen.  As part of the ruling council of the Sanhedrin, he would probably be chastised or worse, for associating with this man. He asked questions. He listened. He was confused, but he yearned to know more. It soon became apparent to Nicodemus that this man was from God, but the words He spoke about being born again confused him. How could man possibly re-enter his mother’s womb and be reborn.  Even this very intelligent man of God thought being close to God had something to do with what he could accomplish on his own.  Jesus soon made it clear that He was talking about submitting to God completely – all that was necessary was to have faith and believe.

Many of us will question our faith from time to time. We may have to reboot every once in a while. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit. It is nurtured through our hearing and reading the Bible. It becomes active in how we approach problems, plan our lives, live in harmony with others and trust completely in God’s plan for our lives.

Nicodemus later went on to defend Jesus by insisting that a trial be held before Jesus was judged.  Of course, a trial occurred, but it was anything but fair. After Jesus died on the cross, Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea (another member of the council) went to claim Jesus’ body and give Him a proper burial.   Nicodemus provided the expensive embalming spices. Even after that horrible day, Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus as completely reborn citizen in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus touched those from all walks of life. He walked among the repulsive side of the population. He healed the blind, deaf, sick, demon possessed and gave all of them hope for a future in heaven. He spoke with those who were out to get Him. He ate with the scum of the earth. I wonder sometimes how we’d receive Him if He came to live among us today. I know that He didn’t remain dead. He was resurrected and sits at the right hand of His true Father in paradise. He paid the necessary price for our redemption. so that we will join Him there after our own death.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!