Trying to Come to Jesus by Night

Man’s attempts to come to God come in various forms. Some believe they can do good works and that will be sufficient. Like Cain in Genesis, some believe that they can modify God’s requirements and it will be “good enough.” The man in today’s verse was no different. He made an attempt to meet Jesus in his own terms. This verse says that Nicodemus came to see Jesus by night. Why do you think he would do that?

~John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Here is one of the most religious men in the Jewish religion. He knows so much about the Bible (the Torah) but he is drawn to Jesus. It is wonderful that he went to see Jesus despite his head knowledge. But he went “by night.” Could it be he was afraid of what his fellow Pharisees would think? We think of doing things in the dark so no one will see what we are doing.

At least Nicodemus’ desire to speak with Christ was not quenched. Despite his fear of repercussion from the other Pharisees or religious leaders, he went to see Jesus anyway. He had Jesus’ undivided attention and was able to question Him.

Nicodemus recognized Jesus as a knowledgeable man because he called Jesus, “Rabbi.” He further confirms this by saying he knew Jesus was a teacher come from God. He also gave Jesus the credit for the miracles saying that no man could perform them unless God was with Him. At least Nicodemus was not so spiritually minded that he could not recognize Jesus coming from God.

Are you trying to meet Jesus by night? Are you putting off learning about Jesus day after day? Are you afraid of what you might discover in the Bible? Are you afraid of what your family or friends will think? Ask God to give you wisdom as you search the Bible for the path to Him. God promises to show you the way in His Word! He won’t leave you empty handed – He won’t leave you sitting in ignorance. He promises to give you wisdom if you ask Him.

~James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.