Scripture
John 3:1-17 NKJV
 
The New Birth
 
3  There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
 
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
 
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
 
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
 
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
 
10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
 
11  Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13  No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Meditation
Tom Selander
 
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
I believe John 3:16 to be the most quoted and known verse in the Bible and a starting point for many just coming to belief in Jesus and the premise of the Christian faith, no matter what age.  
 
I believe Nicodemus had seen the things Jesus had been doing. Being a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, he had knowledge of the scriptures and how they related to Jesus. Even though it is not said, I believe Nicodemus had thoughts that Jesus was the Messiah the books and prophets of the Bible spoke about. Nicodemus desired to know more. He went and sought out Jesus.  
 
The exchange verses 1-15 between Nicodemus and Jesus is wonderful and full of great learning for us all. I believe Nicodemus came at night because he feared his fellow members of the Sanhedrin, and the possible repercussions. Like Nicodemus, I too was afraid to share my faith or my new found belief with my friends who did not believe; would these people find me weak and ridicule me? Nicodemus in his day had more to lose and he probably feared for his life during the time.  
 
We too, are called to relationship and to learn all we are able about Jesus, then sharing it with others. When not knowing where to start, we can simply start with what Jesus said to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then we are called to share why our faith and belief in Jesus is important, and how our relationship with GOD has made our life better.  
Reflection
Take time now to read the final four verses of this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. 
 
John 3:18-21
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
 
Take a few minutes and write down how these verses effect you. The important question I believe GOD has for each of us: What can each of us do better sharing our faith? 

Prayer
Father GOD thank you for Your teachings and the examples given, like this incredible encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. Amen.
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