For 2,ooo years things have really not changed much concerning Jesus. During his day and all of the generations since, we can find many convinced to a point concerning who Jesus is. In John 3:2 we find the Pharisee Nicodemus having a conversation with Jesus. Here are his words:
"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".Let's break this down:
- Rabbi - sign of respect to Jesus coming from a Pharisee, who were known as being very self-righteous. Jesus has broken through to him.
- You are a teacher - you words are persuasive, moving, fresh, inspiring, convicting, etc.
- No one can do these signs that you do - what you do is evidence that God is with you
- Unless God is with him
Four things moved Nicodemus to be convinced to a point, but not quite ready to step in and go all the way. Here are the four things:
- What you are....Rabbi
- What you say....your words are holy
- What you do....works separate you from everyone, including the Pharisees
- What empowers you....unless God is with Him.
Nicodemus is moved to a certain place close to trusting in Jesus, but not quite there. He still needs some of his questions answered and clarified. Like I said, nothing much has really changed in the last 2,000 years. This is where many are today. His curiosity and longing for real truth only brought him so far and he needed some help taking the next step. Jesus helped him take it. This is what we are to do now as well and that is why we should be both students of the heart of man and the Word, so that we can bring clarification to people's search.
It is knowing the word that will make all the difference in bridging the gap between what they are wondering about to actually seeing them making a decision for Christ and convinced for life.
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