Nicodemus came to Jesus at...
Illustration
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He was a respected leader of Israel, had the best education, the best of position. Nicodemus had the things that stood in the way of many and kept them from following Jesus, but Nicodemus showed a caution and a desire for the truth that ultimately enabled him to escape the deadly errors of others and emerge into the sunlight of God's love.
Within this dialogue with Nicodemus falls the most learned and quoted verse of the Bible -- John 3:16. Luther called it "the Gospel in miniature."
The love of God is the power that makes it possible for a person to be born again. Plutarch told the story of a man who carefully studied anatomy with the intention of making a dead body stand upright. He tried various efforts at balancing, but failed with every posture. Finally he gave up, observing that something was missing on the inside. So it is the love of God that fills the vacancy on the inside of the human heart.
When old pictures are brought out for auction, the buyers are frequently making their purchase for the frames. Unless it is a real work of art, few will be concerned with the contents of the frame. So with our lives, most people seem concerned with the frames -- position, wealth, success. But Jesus is interested in the inside, the soul, rather than the surrounding frame of things.
In a hospital, a journalist watched a Catholic sister cleaning the gangrenous wounds of soldiers. He remarked, as many would, "I wouldn't do that for a million dollars." Her surprise answer reflects Christ's love as she, never glancing up, replied, "Neither would I."
Within this dialogue with Nicodemus falls the most learned and quoted verse of the Bible -- John 3:16. Luther called it "the Gospel in miniature."
The love of God is the power that makes it possible for a person to be born again. Plutarch told the story of a man who carefully studied anatomy with the intention of making a dead body stand upright. He tried various efforts at balancing, but failed with every posture. Finally he gave up, observing that something was missing on the inside. So it is the love of God that fills the vacancy on the inside of the human heart.
When old pictures are brought out for auction, the buyers are frequently making their purchase for the frames. Unless it is a real work of art, few will be concerned with the contents of the frame. So with our lives, most people seem concerned with the frames -- position, wealth, success. But Jesus is interested in the inside, the soul, rather than the surrounding frame of things.
In a hospital, a journalist watched a Catholic sister cleaning the gangrenous wounds of soldiers. He remarked, as many would, "I wouldn't do that for a million dollars." Her surprise answer reflects Christ's love as she, never glancing up, replied, "Neither would I."
