John 3:1-15—1 Now 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 him, “Truly, truly, 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, “Truly, truly, 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 its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Fast Facts

Nicodemus is a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews.
He recognizes Jesus as a teacher “come from God.”
He is asking questions.
He comes to Jesus at night.

Outside of God’s saving grace, what people need most is courage.

Nicodemus needed courage to overcome:

1. Fear of Rejection

When you make the choice to follow Jesus, you forfeit the right to be like everyone else.

2. Fear of Loss (status, reputation, and influence)

3. Fear of the Unknown

When you make the choice to follow Jesus, you forfeit the right to be in charge.

Matthew 16:25—For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Following Jesus comes at the terrible cost of losing oneself, but also comes with the wonderful gift of finding everything you had ever hoped for.

John 19:39-42—39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

A revelation of the cross brought courageous faith to the heart of Nicodemus.

Where is God asking you to have courage?

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