Late Night with Jesus: No Wasted Words

“He . . . said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. . . .’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ” (John 3:2-3)

“What?” I bet the people who hung out with Jesus said that to themselves all the time. “What is he talking about?”

latenight_350Nicodemus, this important religious and government leader, does Jesus the honor of coming to see him at night and beginning their conversation by openly acknowledging Jesus is from God.

Instead of saying, “Why, thank you, Nicodemus. It’s good to meet you. Have a seat. Can we get you a beverage?” Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

“What?” It’s not just that Jesus wasn’t a small-talker. He had this way of skipping over all the words between his listener and the point, including the ones that would help that person quickly understand what he was talking about. And, still, they always turned out to be the exact words that person—and we —needed to hear.

Think: Do the things Jesus said ever confuse you? Why do you think he didn’t always make his teaching more immediately understandable?

Pray: Ask God to help you understand what Jesus’ words mean, especially his words in John 3.

Do: Dare: Whatever text message you get next, reply with Jesus’ words in John 3:3: “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”