Day 11 — Nicodemus at Night

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 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, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”

— John 3:1–3 (BSB)

Nicodemus was an important man. He was a Pharisee, part of a group that studied God’s law very carefully and tried hard to keep every rule. He was also a leader of his people. If anyone seemed good enough for God, it was Nicodemus.

But Nicodemus had questions about Jesus. So he came to see Jesus at night, maybe because he didn’t want the other leaders to see him.

Nicodemus started politely: “We know that You are a teacher who has come from God.” But Jesus went straight to the heart of things: “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Nicodemus was confused. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. He was thinking about being born as a baby a second time, which is impossible!

But Jesus wasn’t talking about that kind of birth. He was talking about being born of the Spirit. When you were born the first time, you received physical life. When you are born again, God gives you new spiritual life. The Holy Spirit comes to live in you, and you become a child of God.

Jesus compared it to the wind. “The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.” You can’t see the wind, but you can see what it does to trees and kites. It’s the same with the Spirit. You can’t see Him, but you can see how He changes people.

Here’s the big lesson. Nicodemus was religious. He knew the Bible. He kept lots of rules. But that wasn’t enough. Being good on the outside can’t give you new life on the inside. Only God can do that.

A few sentences later, Jesus told Nicodemus the most famous verse in the Bible: John 3:16. God gives new life to everyone who believes in His Son.

Think about it: Why wasn’t being very religious and keeping lots of rules enough for Nicodemus?

Try this: Read the rest of the conversation in John 3:1–16. Notice how it ends with a verse you probably already know.

Dear God, thank You that You give new life to everyone who believes in Jesus. I know I can’t make myself right with You by being good on the outside. Thank You for sending Your Spirit to make me new on the inside. In Jesus’ name, Amen.