Kara Hackert 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the word of God. It's Monday, February 27. This week as we journey with Jesus toward the cross, we're stumbling along with Nicodemus in John chapter 3. I'm Kara Hackert and today I'm going to read to you about Nicodemus from my favorite Children's Bible, "The Children's Bible In 365 stories." Our story is entitled, "The Man Who Came at Night."
Kara Hackert 0:35
Nicodemus was a Pharisee. He tried with all his heart to keep God's laws and obey all the many rules that had been added to them over the centuries. He was also a member of the ruling Jewish Council. Nicodemus had heard all about Jesus, but he was not angry or jealous, as many Pharisees were. Jesus must be a good man, he reasoned. Or he could not do such miracles. He wanted to talk to Jesus, so he decided to visit him at night, when no prying onlookers would tell his friends on the council; they would not approve. Jesus knew all about Nicodemus, long before he emerged from the dark shadows to talk to him. "There is something important that I must tell you right away," Jesus said. "You will only enter God's kingdom if you are born again." "However, can I be born again at my age?" Nicodemus asked. "I can't become a baby all over again." "There is more than one kind of birth," Jesus explained. "You are born into this world through natural parents. But you are born into God's kingdom through His Holy Spirit." Nicodemus was a trained teacher, but he had no idea what Jesus meant. "God's Holy Spirit is like the wind," Jesus went on. "You cannot see him any more than you can see the wind. But just as you know, when the wind is blowing by what it does, so you will know when the Holy Spirit is at work in your life. He is the one who can give you God's life." God loves every human being so much that he sent his Son into the world so that all those who put their trust in him, will be given God's eternal life. Nicodemus walks slowly away into the dark night. How different was Jesus way from the teaching of the Pharisees? One day Nicodemus would make up his mind, which to follow.
Kara Hackert 2:34
Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you welcome our questions and that you want to talk with us. When we feel like we are stumbling around in the darkness, we ask that you send your light and help us see your path. Help us move toward your light and follow you. Thank you for sending your son and for the love and hope that he brings. Thank you that hd came to save us, Amen.