Seeking Jesus...Continued from page 1

Willems writes, “We may laugh at what our younger selves did, yet that eagerness to pursue relationship is what we want …Too often, our devotional lives focus on routines and methods. But when we’re interested in someone, our ‘routines and methods’?walking down a certain hallway, idling in line at the drive-thru?are not the focus; they are merely means to making a hoped-for connection. She continues, “We can be sure that hope will be fulfilled when we make an effort to connect with God. God not only sees us in the crowd, He invites us to rearrange our lives to spend time with Him.”[1]

Nicodemus’s thirst for truth and relevance led him out of the crowds to a nighttime encounter with Jesus. It was time for him to move from routine to relationship. How about you? Is it time to move from routine to relationship?

II. An authentic seeker wants to connect with Jesus (v. 2b-15).

Notice the interplay throughout this passage. There is a give and take of question, reflection and pulling for truth. Authentic rapport begins to develop as the two men dig deep into the questions of life. Can you feel the emotions brimming over as the two lock into conversation?

Nicodemus: “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (Catch the emotion of the ridiculous in his voice? He questions the truth…how can I believe you when you speak so foolishly.)

Jesus: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit…You should not be surprised at my saying.”

Nicodemus: “How can this be?” (Sense that he thinks this is foolish.)

Jesus: “You are Israel’s teacher and do you not understand these things?” (Catch the frustration in the voice of Jesus?)

There is incredible dialogue?two-way conversation?going on between them. God wants that with us! He wants to carry on a two-way conversation that allows us to question and think our way to truth. The Lord is not afraid of our questions; He wants us to question, desires to know our hurts and hopes to hear our deepest emotions! That is connection at the most meaningful level!

III. An authentic seeker can learn that God loves him (v. 16-17).

The lesson of life that lasts begins in the depths of God’s infinite love! Here Jesus say, “For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son (me) into the world…” The creator God, all-wise, all-caring, all-understanding God loves us so much that Jesus was sent to redeem us!

Twenty years ago I heard an interview with Ann B. Davis, who was Schultzie on the old “Bob Cummings” TV show and then worked as Alice on the “Brady Bunch.”  The host made mention that a lot of her old friends thought she had gone into a convent because of her new residence. After a little laughter she very pointedly and kindly said, “No, I live in a Christian community.” She continued, “I’ve always known that God is love, but not until about twelve years ago did I know that God loved Ann B. Davis.”

We each one need to find that God is love…a personal God of love that can change our lives! (Derl G. Keefer)

[1] Discipleship Journal Issue 161, Sept/Oct 2007, Vol 27/No. 5, page37.