“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” John 3:1-3
Nicodemus was by all worldly standards a ‘good person.’ If he was a member of today’s society he most likely would be warmly welcomed in the church because of his actions. He was esteemed in his community, knowledgeable and devout, a Pharisee who followed the Jewish Law. However, as good and knowledgeable as Nicodemus was, he still came to Jesus with questions.
Many in the past, present, and future have argued and will continue to argue the works vs. faith debate. Nicodemus by all means was a man who followed Jewish Law, and he had many works to prove it. However, Jesus has a major teaching point for Nicodemus, a lesson that will change the way Nicodemus lives his life. When Nicodemus approached Jesus, Jesus was able to teach him that no amount of good works would save his soul. No matter how strictly he followed the law, he still must be born again to be saved. Nicodemus had to be born again through Christ, so that he could die to the flesh and live in the Spirit, something the law was powerless to do. Nicodemus had to enter a new relationship with Jesus Christ, a sincere one based on true belief and not just a firm following of Jewish law.
No one will enter the Kingdom of Heaven because they were a “good person” or because they did so much charitable work. Instead, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven a believer must put to death the fleshly desires of the Earth, and put Christ on in baptism to receive the gift of eternal life.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me when I become to task focused or works focused and forget that YOU have given me the gift of life. Help me to put to death the desires of my flesh, and instead become a devout believer. Lord thank you for the gift of baptism and the chance to have eternal life in Heaven.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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