Encounters With Jesus Part I

Jesus and Nicodemus

INTRODUCTION

Jesus is a blessing to the life of those who believe in Him! However, how many times, in agony and uncertainty, have you desired to have a meeting with Him? Nothing else, you just want to sit down and ask a whole bunch of questions. You don’t want to go out to dinner with Him. You don’t want Him to come and see your messy house—or your messy life. You only want to sit with Him and question the doubts of your soul: “God, is all of this true? Were all of those stories, all of those miracles, all of those events real? God, why is it so hard to believe? Father, my heart burns to see you; my heart tries to believe in you, but… my faith is so weak. Lord, I cannot understand your love. I cannot comprehend your sacrifice; I cannot even grasp the rays of grace on my behalf. Jesus, why did you come and die for me?”

Questions will always arise. Doubts will always come into our minds. You may have heard this already; maybe a friend has already told you this. But it is still hard to believe. The secret for victory is what you do when doubts knock at your door. Do you take them to Jesus? Yes?! Are you sure? If you do so, I want you to know that you might not receive the answers you are looking for.

As we know, when Jesus was born, all the prophecies concerning his birth were fulfilled. Jesus was the Seed of the woman (see Genesis 3:15); Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); Jesus was the Descendent of Abraham (see Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16); He was from the tribe of Judah, from the house of David (see Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:12,13); Jesus was born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2); The name Jesus (Yeshua) meant “salvation” (see Psalm 98:2, Isaiah 52:10, Isaiah 49:6, Habakkuk 3:18). The messianic prophecies were the topic of study of every good Israelite who waited for the Messiah to come. It was the favorite topic of the Pharisees and Scribes, especially of Nicodemus. He studied it; he searched it; he prayed for it; he lived for it.
But Nicodemus also had questions. As you, he also had doubts. The first promise of the Messiah was given in the Garden of Eden, then reaffirmed to Abraham, then confirmed to Jacob, to Moses and to David. But this happened hundreds and hundreds of years before Nicodemus, how could he still wait? Nicodemus needed to have a talk with God. He had to settle some issues with Him.

Ellen White says, “Nicodemus held a high position of trust in the Jewish nation. He was highly educated, and possessed talents of no ordinary character, and he was an honored member of the national council” (Desire of Ages, p. 167). Nicodemus was greatly esteemed and rich. He was the top of the top, the “ruler of the Jews” ‘(John 3:1, KJV). However, when Jesus cleansed the temple, He whets in Nicodemus a sense of anxiety. All the Pharisees and priests and scribes feared His power. Ellen White continues:
“They were bent on putting an end to [Jesus’] work. […] There were some that feared to oppose One who was so evidently moved upon by the Spirit of God. […] They feared that in plotting against Jesus the priests and rulers were following in the steps of their fathers, and would bring fresh calamities upon the nation. Nicodemus shared these feelings.With many others in Israel, [Nicodemus] had been greatly distressed by the profanation of the temple. He was a witness of the scene when Jesus drove out the buyers and the sellers; he beheld the wonderful manifestation of divine power; he saw the Saviour receiving the poor and healing the sick; he saw their looks of joy, and heard their words of praise; and he could not doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was the Sent of God” (Desire of Ages, pp. 167-168; emphasis added).

Nicodemus wanted to sit and talk with Jesus. He had too many questions to stay quiet. His heart wished to see and to follow the Messiah, but so many others have claimed to be the One. How could he be sure this man was Christ? All he had studied showed Jesus to be the One sent from God, but he could not risk to take Jesus’ side, he could not risk to lose his position nor the fame he had gained. So, to follow Jesus meant to sacrifice everything he had. He was still doubting. His faith was still wavering. His mind was driving him crazy. He needed an encounter with Jesus.

1. AN INTERVIEW WITH JESUS

The Bible tells us of this encounter.We read it in John 3. The Scriptures says:

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 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 (John 3:1-2 KJV).

Nicodemus finally got his interview. It took a long time for him to recognize his need. However, he was fearful of being seen with Jesus. Who could dread being at Jesus’ side? What led Nicodemus to wait until nightfall? He had many reasons that were at the time a huge concern. If Nicodemus were to give this a shot, at such an early stage, not only was his job at risk, but also his pride, his fame and his influence. All would be lost. He was holding so faithfully to his ego that he could not let it leak through his fingers. I magine his mind: “I will lose my job! I will be a nobody!” Ellen White comments, “[…] should his visit come to the knowledge of the Sanhedrin, it would draw upon him their scorn and denunciation” (Desire of Ages, p. 168). This was the dilemma on his mind.

Nicodemus was curious about Jesus. Who wouldn’t be? As a superfan searches, digs, and noses around in celebrities’ lives, Nicodemus learned everything he could about Christ—including the Savior’s retirement place. Every single detail was important for Nicodemus’ goal.

Once Nicodemus got there, he felt butterflies in his stomach. Although he was a Pharisee for so long, he felt weird in the presence of this humble carpenter. The word Rabbi, or teacher, was a respectful term, but for Nicodemus, it simply meant “You are just a teacher!” Nicodemus, having the tons of questions he had, feared to openly call Jesus the Messiah; he took the safest approach. He prepared and prepared again. “What am I going to say? Ahaaa! I will idolize Him a little. He will be happy, and boom… I will get the answers I want.” Wonderful plan, Nicodemus; you just forgot that Jesus knows you better than anyone else!

Ellen White states, “By speaking of Christ’s rare gifts as a teacher, and also of His wonderful power to perform miracles, he hoped to pave the way for his interview (Desire of Ages, p. 168). Though Nicodemus planned to show off his confidence and pomp, he actually showed disbelief and doubt. His attitude expressed no more than a faithless throwing of words.

2. JESUS’ ANSWER

Jesus reads Nicodemus’ heart. All the fears and secrets Nicodemus had were openly viewed by the Savior. The good-old-pharisee thought he could hide them, but he once again fell into his own trap. Because Jesus wanted to help Nicodemus, He chose not to acknowledge the Pharisee’s greeting; avoiding any flattery or empty praise.

With a loving, though direct voice, Jesus answers Nicodemus, … “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, KJV). Unless you experience the new birth, you will never feel satisfied. You will look for answers (many times in the wrong places), but they will be useless. You will seek happiness and fulfillment, but nothing will be different. It does not have to be like this forever. Jesus can answer you. He will hear you. However, first, you have to leave your “self-sufficiency-cocoon” and accept that it will take you nowhere. Then, be ready for the transformation that the gospel will work. Nicodemus struggled to understand this—not because he couldn’t, but because he didn’t want to.
Have you ever experienced a moment when someone said or did something that really hit a nerve? Was it something that really bothered you, or maybe even triggered you to retaliate? Even if the person didn’t intend to offend you, the reason is that those words apply to a defect that you may have. And this is exactly what happened to Nicodemus. He is a Pharisee, the pure of the pure. Despite his self-proclaimed righteousness, Jesus approached him without regard for his position in Israel—his ego was again wounded.
Nicodemus, filled with irony, replied to Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Ellen White continues,

“But the Saviour did not meet argument with argument. […] He pressed the truth home with greater assurance, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Desire of Ages, p. 171).

In reality, Jesus was simply saying that all the good works Nicodemus had performed throughout his life were worthless, for “the fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure” (Desire of Ages, p. 172). Then, Jesus speaks to you as He spoke to Nicodemus. He urges you to live a true christian life. If you think you are somebody, I feel sorry for you. There is nothing good in you, not even your pretty hair. You think you can do it; you think you can handle it; but you can’t.

“He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility” (Desire of Ages, p. 172). “Those who enter heaven will not scale its walls by their own righteousness, nor will its gates be opened to them for costly offerings of gold or silver, but […] through the merits of the cross of Christ” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 179).

Therefore, He who asks of you to be perfect also gives you the power to do so. It is in Jesus that you find yourself. And it is in Jesus that your soul is transformed. It is not half transformation, as an upgrade of your “old self”, but it is a new life, a new birth, and a new beginning.

3. YOU MUST BELIEVE IT

At this point, Jesus meets Nicodemus in his own understanding. As a good Pharisee, he remembered the story of the serpents in the wilderness, and how many had died because they had refused to look at something so effortless. It required of them an act of simple faith. It was to look, to believe, and to be healed. Jesus said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15, KJV). Ellen White says:

“Through faith we receive the grace of God; but faith is not our Saviour. It earns nothing. It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ, and appropriate His merits, the remedy for sin. And we cannot even repent without the aid of the Spirit of God” (Desire of Ages, p. 175).

How, then, can we be saved? It is by beholding the sacrifice in the cross that you may look and live. White continues, “The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself” (Desire of Ages, p. 175).

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV). Death was never something that we willingly accepted, though it was our choice. In choosing to sin we decided to separate ourselves from the Source of life. Death should have been immediate; the eternal life we once had was given up. However, God gives us an opportunity to choose Him again. When we do so, it will have to be a decision in every small detail of our lives. Then He will rescue us from this world and give us eternal life. The cost: none! But in faith is where you begin!

““The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God’s forgiving grace” (Signs of the Times, May 19, 1898, par. 11; emphasis added).

CONCLUSION

You had just read that the moment you accept Christ, that moment you are pardoned, you are forgiven. Being forgiven means being cleansed from all your sins (1 John 1:9, KJV). It means a new life, a new chance to live with Him. In reality, being pardoned means being made perfect. That is, light comes and you accept it through the power of Jesus, and at that moment you are made perfect. Next morning, it is your opportunity to accept and be made perfect. But it all starts with your choice!

As Nicodemus had the choice to go to Jesus or not, it is your decision to accept the work He wants to do for you. It all starts with your willingness. The new life starts with coming to Jesus as you are. You will not stay as you are! If you thought you could live with Jesus and be the same, you are very mistaken! Having Jesus means experiencing transformation, being a new person!

You say, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”, but in reality, you still want to have your feet in the world. You want to serve God wholeheartedly, but your heart is wandering every.where else. Too often we say “God can I have both?” It doesn’t work that way! You can never have both! You must choose!

I pray that soon, very soon, you will make your decision. Don’t wait until you are perfect to experience this encounter. Don’t wait for anything in the world. Nothing out there is worth the time and effort that God gave you. Don’t wait until you feel ready. Simply do it, with all the strength Jesus has given you. And if you think you are not strong enough, believe that He will give you power! You are His best decision!