John 3:8-13

“Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.’” vss. 10-11

Nicodemus had a ton of knowledge. He was a teacher of Israel, a much respected rabbi and a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Jerusalem. He knew the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets, but he didn’t get what Jesus was preaching and teaching. And most important of all, he didn’t know the way to eternal life. And it wasn’t that he hadn’t heard Jesus’s words. Jesus wasn’t at all private about his convictions. So what was Nicodemus missing? Well, he’s like a lot of folks in our day, some of whom have even been to seminary. They know the doctrines and dogmas; they’re familiar with all the rituals and the traditions. But they’ve never experienced the truth that lies behind the words. They don’t have the intimate knowledge that comes through personal connection. Their hearts have never been touched by the truth; their knowledge is all in their heads! It’s like what happens when a person falls in love. The feeling can’t be explained or analyzed–it can only be experienced. Nicodemus was familiar with Jesus, but he hadn’t fallen in love with him, and that makes all the difference in the world.

Thought for the Day: Am I in love with Jesus? How do I know?