Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus), "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
- John 3:3 (NKJV)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a senior Jewish leader in the Temple who, upon hearing Jesus speak during Holy Week knew there was something special about Him. Even though he was tasked with spying on Jesus for the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, who wanted Jesus to be put to death, he decided that he wanted a secret meeting with Jesus to learn more about His teachings.
The quote of Jesus above as written in the Gospel of John is where Jesus told Nicodemus what was necessary to attain Eternal Life. The Pharisee was puzzled, not understanding how one could be born again of the womb. In response to his question, Jesus explained that he was taking about being born again of the Spirit, for the Spirit would be one's guide to eternity.
Nicodemus took the Lord's words to heart even though he continued his duties as assigned by Caiaphas, a very demanding man who expected total allegiance in all things. But below the surface and in private, Nicodemus found his belief in the Words of Christ as making sense and growing in his heart.
At the time of Jesus' trial at the Temple before Caiaphas who was self-appointed as the chief judge, Nicodemus questioned the legality of decisions being made. He informed Caiaphas that a trial which could result in death required a public hearing in the light of day, not in the darkness of night. Caiaphas silenced him by stating that, as chief of the judiciary, Nicodemus himself could be put to trial for his insolence.
The night time trial is particularly of interest. Compare it to what we do in America today. Congress meets under the cover of darkness after allowing on transparency concerning it's actions, and passes legislation that no one wants. What an amazing parallel to what was happening in Jerusalem those many years ago.
Later, on Good Friday as Nicodemus looked up at Golgotha where Jesus was dying his agonizing and slow death, he knew what he had to do. He went and got Joseph of Arimathea, a man of means with a private burial tomb, to allow Jesus' body to be buried in the tomb, allowing privacy and dignity to this man that Nicodemus knew was sent by God. The two men went to the Cross at the time of Jesus' demise to claim the body, having received official approval from Pilate, who was privately having pangs of guilt for what he had done.
So you might be thinking to yourself, what does the actions of Nicodemus and his beliefs have to do with a rebirth of America? Well, it's really quite simple. America the nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, including both the Law as delivered by Moses and the Resurrection which showed the Everlasting Life of the Savior. Our entire political system was established under this purview and our American Spirit also included a belief in a country founded under God and one which was designed to offer opportunity and hope to its people, most of who originally came from the chains of tyranny.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that we have lost this Spirit. Many have lost their faith and their individuality by turning it over to Big Brother, opting to allow the government to make their decisions for them. Yet we know that this has never worked before and won't work, for as it grows the chains of bondage grow with it, and then the political class sees itself as a special group above the masses, knowing what is best for all of us.
If you believe that government does know best, then I guess you don't need to worry about God or freedom although when your life is done on earth you have some horrific consequences to face. But, if like me and many others, you want to see the foundation of the Founders renewed and put back in force, then America needs to be reborn, a rebirth that puts belief in God as our guiding light and which will motivate individuals to govern this country in a godly fashion. Since God is the ultimate authority, and here I am talking about God in three persons, only government that meets godly standards is legitimate.
All it takes to start turning America around is to allow the Spirit and the warmth of God's love into your heart and project it onto everything you do. Just imagine the power that would be generated if every American who calls him or herself a Christian lived their life in this manner. It would be glorious.
So, my friends, let's get the Spirit back, put the Lord first and follow His guidance and the Glory of God can transform the world. Each of us has a role to play, just like Nicodemus had an important yet background purpose in the Easter Story. With God all is possible.
- John 3:3 (NKJV)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a senior Jewish leader in the Temple who, upon hearing Jesus speak during Holy Week knew there was something special about Him. Even though he was tasked with spying on Jesus for the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, who wanted Jesus to be put to death, he decided that he wanted a secret meeting with Jesus to learn more about His teachings.
The quote of Jesus above as written in the Gospel of John is where Jesus told Nicodemus what was necessary to attain Eternal Life. The Pharisee was puzzled, not understanding how one could be born again of the womb. In response to his question, Jesus explained that he was taking about being born again of the Spirit, for the Spirit would be one's guide to eternity.
Nicodemus took the Lord's words to heart even though he continued his duties as assigned by Caiaphas, a very demanding man who expected total allegiance in all things. But below the surface and in private, Nicodemus found his belief in the Words of Christ as making sense and growing in his heart.
At the time of Jesus' trial at the Temple before Caiaphas who was self-appointed as the chief judge, Nicodemus questioned the legality of decisions being made. He informed Caiaphas that a trial which could result in death required a public hearing in the light of day, not in the darkness of night. Caiaphas silenced him by stating that, as chief of the judiciary, Nicodemus himself could be put to trial for his insolence.
The night time trial is particularly of interest. Compare it to what we do in America today. Congress meets under the cover of darkness after allowing on transparency concerning it's actions, and passes legislation that no one wants. What an amazing parallel to what was happening in Jerusalem those many years ago.
Later, on Good Friday as Nicodemus looked up at Golgotha where Jesus was dying his agonizing and slow death, he knew what he had to do. He went and got Joseph of Arimathea, a man of means with a private burial tomb, to allow Jesus' body to be buried in the tomb, allowing privacy and dignity to this man that Nicodemus knew was sent by God. The two men went to the Cross at the time of Jesus' demise to claim the body, having received official approval from Pilate, who was privately having pangs of guilt for what he had done.
So you might be thinking to yourself, what does the actions of Nicodemus and his beliefs have to do with a rebirth of America? Well, it's really quite simple. America the nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, including both the Law as delivered by Moses and the Resurrection which showed the Everlasting Life of the Savior. Our entire political system was established under this purview and our American Spirit also included a belief in a country founded under God and one which was designed to offer opportunity and hope to its people, most of who originally came from the chains of tyranny.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that we have lost this Spirit. Many have lost their faith and their individuality by turning it over to Big Brother, opting to allow the government to make their decisions for them. Yet we know that this has never worked before and won't work, for as it grows the chains of bondage grow with it, and then the political class sees itself as a special group above the masses, knowing what is best for all of us.
If you believe that government does know best, then I guess you don't need to worry about God or freedom although when your life is done on earth you have some horrific consequences to face. But, if like me and many others, you want to see the foundation of the Founders renewed and put back in force, then America needs to be reborn, a rebirth that puts belief in God as our guiding light and which will motivate individuals to govern this country in a godly fashion. Since God is the ultimate authority, and here I am talking about God in three persons, only government that meets godly standards is legitimate.
All it takes to start turning America around is to allow the Spirit and the warmth of God's love into your heart and project it onto everything you do. Just imagine the power that would be generated if every American who calls him or herself a Christian lived their life in this manner. It would be glorious.
So, my friends, let's get the Spirit back, put the Lord first and follow His guidance and the Glory of God can transform the world. Each of us has a role to play, just like Nicodemus had an important yet background purpose in the Easter Story. With God all is possible.
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