Encounter: Nicodemus

Scripture: John 3:1-7, 19:38-42 NET

Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?” Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’

… After this (the death of Jesus), Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus (but secretly, because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he went and took the body away. Nicodemus, the man who had previously come to Jesus at night, accompanied Joseph, carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds. Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the aromatic spices, in strips of linen cloth according to Jewish burial customs. Now at the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden was a new tomb where no one had yet been buried. And so, because it was the Jewish day of preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus’ body there.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Nicodemus came to you under cover of the dark of night with sincere soul-saving questions. You patiently received him and lovingly sat with him in deep conversation. It was Nicodemus, who heard the beautiful succinct gospel, “God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son, so everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The truth of these words changed his life as they have changed mine. I would like to think Nicodemus represented all of us who have approached you with hopeful expectation and were met with the mercy and grace of our Savior. Amen.

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.