Curiosity of Nicodemus

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37 ~~~ Psalm 93 ~~~

~~~ John 3:7B-15 ~~~

...we speak of what we know 

and we testify to what we have seen...

Nicodemus was an influential member 

and ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus under cover of darkness.

He did not want to be seen or identified

 as associating with Jesus.

If he was discovered to be with Jesus

he would have been ousted from his position

 in the Jewish community.

He wanted to have first hand information about Jesus.

He had questions so he went to the source.

He was not satisfied to believe what others were saying.

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher 

who has come from God, for no one 

can do these signs that you are doing 

unless God is with him.”

Nicodemus addresses Jesus with respect as 'Rabbi'.

Not just anyone would have been given the title of Rabbi.

What troubled Nicodemus most was the idea of being born again.

Jesus was speaking of being born of water and spirit.

Jesus testifies of the spirit which cannot be seen.

Just as we experience the effect of the winds

 across the oceans in our weather,

so the spirit sweeps across our soul.

The Son of Man must be lifted up,

so that everyone who believes in him

may have eternal life.

Lifting up of Jesus on the cross was very visible

while our belief in eternal life comes 

to us through the spirit.

We are being reborn in the Spirit

many times throughout our life.

Every time we have an 'aha'

moment with a Scripture verse

 it is the Spirit at work in us.

Nicodemus had one of these 'aha' moments;

he saw the light of Jesus.

He wanted to come out of the darkness.

Today we are Blessed with the Spirit

so that we can speak of the goodness of the Lord.

~~~Peace~~~

Are You Bold for Him?

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 4:23-31 ~~~ Psalm 2 ~~~  John 3:1-8 ~~~

...no one can do these signs that you are doing
unless God is with him...

The apostles were afraid after seeing how Jesus was executed;
until they were filled with the Spirit.
Suddenly they were able to speak with boldness.
There fears no longer kept them from proclaiming the good news of the Resurrection.
They were strong enough to leave the upper room...
to unlock the doors and go out among the people.
They were able to stand tall and their confidence was strengthened.

The earth shook as a sign of the Divine presence when
they acted in his holy name.
They acted on his behalf in all circumstances.

Have you ever been so sure of yourself
 that it did not matter to you what others thought?
The apostles were so changed that they
were probably amazed by themselves.
Until this time they had been the ones listening to
and learning from Jesus.
They were not the ones doing the teaching.
They were not the ones dealing with the scribes and the Pharisees.
Until now they were not the ones who possessed
the power of healing.
But now things had changed.
Now they were constantly discovering
just what they could do for others.

The possibilities seemed to be almost limitless.

(But not really)
They knew they were not the same as Jesus.

...unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot 
enter the Kingdom of God.

Nicodemus came to recognize that only someone
 very close to God could perform such great works i.e. miracles.

Jesus confuses Nicodemus by telling him
 that one must be born from above and from the Spirit.

It is known that we are only born of the flesh once,
but to be born in the Spirit may come much later in life.

When we are born in the flesh we can see our physical body.
When we are born in the waters of Baptism our soul is cleansed.
When we are born in the Spirit we have no real tangible evidence...

We are, however, profoundly changed...
We can now act and speak with boldness.

He Blesses us to be bold for Him, for the Kingdom of God.

Be bold, be strong,
you are filed with the Spirit.
~~Peace~~