Introduction

Good morning, dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thrilled to be here with you today, sharing the word of God, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we gather in the house of the Lord, let us remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

Today, we find ourselves in the third chapter of the Gospel according to John, verses one through seventeen. Let’s read together: "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.' Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.' 'How can someone be born when they are old?' Nicodemus asked. 'Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!' Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.' 'How can this be?' Nicodemus asked. 'You are Israel’s teacher,' said Jesus, 'and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.' 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Meeting in the Midnight

In the stillness of the night, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, sought out Jesus. This was no ordinary meeting. It was a clandestine encounter, shrouded in the secrecy of the night. Nicodemus, a man of stature and influence, came to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Why? Perhaps he was afraid of what his peers would think. Perhaps he feared retribution from the other Pharisees. Or perhaps, the night offered him a quiet, uninterrupted time to seek answers to the questions that were burning in his heart.

Nicodemus recognized Jesus as a teacher who had come from God. He saw the signs and miracles that Jesus performed and knew that they were not the work of an ordinary man. Yet, he struggled to fully understand who Jesus was and what his teachings meant. This is a struggle that many of us can relate to. We see the work of God in our lives and in the world around us, yet we often struggle to fully comprehend His ways.

The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus also highlights the importance of seeking Jesus personally. Nicodemus did not send a servant or a messenger to Jesus. He did not ask someone else to seek answers on his behalf. He went to Jesus himself. This is a powerful reminder for us. While it is important to listen to sermons, read commentaries, and participate in Bible studies, it is equally important to seek Jesus personally. We need to spend time alone with Him, reading His word, praying, and listening to His voice.

The meeting also underscores the fact that it is never too late to seek Jesus. Nicodemus was an older man, yet he was not too proud or too set in his ways to seek Jesus. He recognized his need for understanding and was willing to humble himself to seek it. This is a lesson for all of us. No matter how old we are, no matter how much we think we know, we should never stop seeking Jesus. We should never stop striving to understand Him better.

Finally, the meeting shows us of the transformative power of an encounter with Jesus. Nicodemus came to Jesus as a curious seeker, but he left as a changed man. He later defended Jesus before the other Pharisees and helped to prepare Jesus' body for burial after the crucifixion. His encounter with Jesus transformed his life. This is the power of a personal encounter with Jesus. It can transform our lives, change our hearts, and set us on a new path.

Mysteries of the Messiah

As we continue to examine this passage, we find ourselves confronted with the enigmatic figure of Jesus Christ, the Messiah ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO