Posted on 09/25/2022 4:30:24 PM PDT by metmom
“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?’” (John 3:9–10).
Although he was a renowned, recognized, and established teacher in Israel, Nicodemus was a poor learner. His question “How can these things be?” indicates he had made little progress. Despite Jesus’ further clarification, Nicodemus still could not accept what he was hearing. He could not let go of his legalistic religious system and realize that salvation was a sovereign, gracious work of God’s Spirit.
Because of his position as the teacher of Israel, Nicodemus could have been expected to understand the things Jesus had said. In fact, his lack of understanding was inexcusable considering his exposure to the Old Testament. Jesus found it indefensible that this prominent scholar was not familiar with the foundational new covenant teaching, housed in the Old Testament, regarding the only way of salvation (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15). Sadly, Nicodemus serves as a clear example of the numbing effect that external, legalistic religion has on a person’s spiritual perception—even to the point of obscuring the revelation of God.
Although nothing in this passage suggests Nicodemus was converted that evening (and verse 11 strongly implies that he was not), he never forgot his discussion with Jesus. Later, he boldly defended Him before the Sanhedrin (7:50–51), and helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare His body for burial (19:38–39)—actions that indicate the presence of genuine faith in his life. Somewhere after that memorable evening he spent with Jesus but before the crucifixion, Nicodemus came to understand sovereign grace and experience the reality of the new birth.
Ask Yourself
Perhaps there’s someone (or several people) you’ve been talking to and praying for, deeply concerned about their spiritual condition, perhaps even a little perturbed at their stubborn resistance to the gospel. Don’t give up. Don’t quit asking. There is more than one Nicodemus who said no, no, no, before finally succumbing to grace.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
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Studying God’s Word Ping
WEEK TWENTY-SIX – SUNDAY – C – SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 –
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS (LK 16:19-31)
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Simple: Our Day by Day devotional was:
WEEK TWENTY-SIX – SUNDAY – C – SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 –
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS (LK 16:19-31)
Confirmation bias is the bane of the fall of man.
Ever notice that, when someone asks Jesus a question, they rarely get the answer they expected?
Well, if most of the questions asked Him are gotcha questions designed just to entrap Him, that doesn’t surprise me.
It’s kind of interesting that after watching Him do all these miracles, the scribes and pharisees think they can outwit Him, like it doesn’t seem to occur to them that they are not dealing with an exceptional individual.
Ya mean like THIS??
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Classic example!
Yes, they are spiritually blind and deaf.
They do not have ears to hear and eyes to see.
But they dress all Religious.
White Washed Sepulchres.
They realize it now, but feel they are too far along to go back, thinking the road is now untravelable.
But the truth is that they have gotten onto an old, parallel road, one the interstate has superseded, yet is only a few miles away.
If they'd only look for the signs that point the way to it, they could get back on track.
That’s very good, Elsie.
True
Jesus addresses this in Rev 2; 3-7
...for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4-Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5-Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent
6-But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7-He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
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