Embracing Questions: The Journey of Nicodemus

Devotional

Day 1: The Courage to Question

Nicodemus' story begins with his courageous decision to seek out Jesus under the cover of night. Despite his status as a Pharisee, he was not afraid to ask questions that challenged his understanding of faith and life. This act of humility and curiosity is a powerful reminder that true wisdom is not about having all the answers but about being open to learning and growing. Nicodemus' willingness to question and seek understanding is a model for us all, encouraging us to embrace our doubts and uncertainties as a path to deeper faith. [44:09]

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one question about your faith that you have been hesitant to ask? How can you take a step today to seek understanding and clarity?

Day 2: Standing Firm in Faith

In John 7, Nicodemus demonstrates courage by standing up for Jesus among his peers. This act of integrity shows that faith sometimes requires us to stand against the crowd and uphold truth, even when it is unpopular or risky. Nicodemus' example challenges us to be bold in our convictions and to speak up for what is right, even when it means facing opposition. His story reminds us that true faith is not passive but active, requiring us to take a stand for our beliefs. [01:00:59]

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are called to stand firm in your faith. What practical steps can you take today to uphold your beliefs with courage and love?

Day 3: Faithfulness in the End

Nicodemus' presence at Jesus' burial in John 19 highlights his commitment and faithfulness. Despite the risks, he chose to honor Jesus through his actions, demonstrating that our faith journey is not just about beginnings but also about being steadfast until the end. Nicodemus' story encourages us to remain faithful in our walk with God, even when it is challenging or inconvenient. It is a reminder that our actions speak louder than words and that true faith is demonstrated through our commitment and perseverance. [01:06:08]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to demonstrate faithfulness. How can you commit to being steadfast in your actions and honoring God in this area today?

Day 4: Room for All at the Table

The story of Nicodemus reassures us that there is space for everyone in the kingdom of God, including those who question and seek understanding. His journey shows that our diverse experiences and perspectives enrich our collective faith experience. Nicodemus' story is a testament to the inclusive nature of God's love and grace, reminding us that we are all welcome at His table, regardless of our doubts or uncertainties. This narrative encourages us to embrace diversity and to create a welcoming space for others in our faith communities. [53:54]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create a more inclusive and welcoming environment in your faith community? What steps can you take today to reach out to someone who may feel on the margins?

Day 5: Seeing Through New Lenses

The metaphor of the "big nerd glasses" encourages us to view the world through a lens of faithfulness and curiosity. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and seek deeper truths, reminding us that faith is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Nicodemus' story invites us to adopt a posture of openness and wonder, to see the world through new eyes, and to be willing to change our perspectives as we grow in our understanding of God and His kingdom. [01:08:23]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to see through new lenses? How can you approach this area with curiosity and openness to God's leading today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who sought Jesus in the quiet of night, asking profound questions about faith and life. Nicodemus, a learned man, represents those of us who have spent our lives studying and following religious traditions, yet still find ourselves with questions and uncertainties. His story is a reminder that faith is not about having all the answers but about being open to seeking truth and understanding, even when it challenges our preconceived notions.

Nicodemus first appears in John 3, where he visits Jesus to inquire about being born again. This encounter gives us the famous verse, John 3:16, highlighting God's love for the world. Despite his status, Nicodemus humbly seeks Jesus, illustrating that true wisdom lies in the willingness to learn and grow. His journey continues in John 7, where he stands up for Jesus among his peers, showing courage in the face of opposition. Finally, in John 19, Nicodemus is present at Jesus' burial, demonstrating his faithfulness and commitment to honoring Jesus, even when it was risky.

This narrative encourages us to embrace our questions and doubts as part of our faith journey. It challenges us to be faithful in our pursuit of truth, even when it means standing against the crowd. Nicodemus' story is a testament to the transformative power of seeking Jesus with an open heart and mind. As we reflect on his journey, we are reminded that there is room at the table for everyone, including those who question and seek understanding.

Key Takeaways

1. 8J8w&t=2649s'>[44:09]
2. Standing Firm in Faith: In John 7, Nicodemus stands up for Jesus among his peers, demonstrating courage and integrity. This act reminds us that faith sometimes requires us to stand against the crowd and uphold truth, even when it is unpopular or risky.

3. Faithfulness in the End: Nicodemus' presence at Jesus' burial in John 19 highlights his commitment and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that our faith journey is not just about beginnings but also about being steadfast until the end, honoring our beliefs through our actions.

4. Room for All at the Table: The story of Nicodemus reassures us that there is space for everyone in the kingdom of God, including those who question and seek understanding. Our diverse journeys and perspectives enrich our collective faith experience.

5. Seeing Through New Lenses: The metaphor of the "big nerd glasses" encourages us to view the world through a lens of faithfulness and curiosity. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and seek deeper truths, reminding us that faith is a journey of continuous learning and growth.

** [44:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Community Events Recap
[05:00] - Upcoming Church Activities
[10:00] - Parade Preparation
[15:00] - Palm Sunday Reenactment
[20:00] - Reflection on Parades
[25:00] - The Unplanned Parade
[30:00] - Introduction to Nicodemus
[35:00] - Nicodemus' First Encounter with Jesus
[40:00] - The Significance of John 3:16
[45:00] - Nicodemus' Courage in John 7
[50:00] - Nicodemus at Jesus' Burial
[55:00] - Personal Reflection and Connection
[60:00] - Embracing Questions in Faith
[65:00] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Nicodemus**

**Bible Reading:**
- John 3:1-21
- John 7:45-52
- John 19:38-42

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**Observation Questions:**

What motivated Nicodemus, a Pharisee, to seek out Jesus at night, and what does this reveal about his character? [44:09]
In John 7, how does Nicodemus stand out among his peers when discussing Jesus, and what does this indicate about his evolving perspective? [01:00:59]
Describe Nicodemus' actions in John 19. What do these actions suggest about his relationship with Jesus by the end of the Gospel? [01:06:08]
How does the sermon describe the metaphor of "big nerd glasses," and what is its significance in understanding faith? [01:08:23]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

What does Nicodemus' willingness to question and seek Jesus in the night suggest about the nature of faith and the pursuit of truth? [44:09]
How does Nicodemus' defense of Jesus in John 7 reflect the challenges of standing firm in one's beliefs amidst peer pressure? [01:00:59]
In what ways does Nicodemus' presence at Jesus' burial in John 19 demonstrate a deepened commitment to his faith journey? [01:06:08]
How can the metaphor of "big nerd glasses" encourage believers to approach their faith with curiosity and openness? [01:08:23]

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**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a time when you had questions about your faith. How did you approach seeking answers, and what can you learn from Nicodemus' example? [44:09]
Have you ever faced a situation where you had to stand up for your beliefs against the majority? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? [01:00:59]
Consider your current faith journey. In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness and commitment, even when it feels risky or unpopular? [01:06:08]
How can you create space in your life to explore your questions and doubts about faith, and who can you turn to for guidance and support? [44:09]
The sermon encourages viewing the world through "big nerd glasses." What specific steps can you take to cultivate a mindset of curiosity and openness in your spiritual life? [01:08:23]
Think of a person in your life who might be questioning or seeking understanding in their faith. How can you support them in their journey, similar to how Jesus engaged with Nicodemus? [44:09]
Reflect on the idea that there is room at the table for everyone, including those who question. How can you foster an inclusive and welcoming environment in your faith community? [01:08:23]

Sermon Clips

And then along comes this Jesus guy, this new kid on the block, who in the world of other religious teachers, has no credentials whatsoever. He's just some guy who comes along and turns water into wine and suddenly there's all of these people following him. And the fact that, you know, he, that Jesus never actually, wasn't actually raised in the ways of, to become a religious teacher, but he was going around teaching and performing miracles and healing people and all of those things, was probably what annoyed the Pharisees most about him. [00:50:45] (55 seconds) Edit Clip

Who, instead of just being angry and annoyed at Jesus, just like all of his other big nerd friends, in John chapter 3, we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the middle of the night. When I think about how this story might unfold if it was happening today, I think of Nicodemus sneaking out in the middle of the night, so that when everybody else was asleep, so that his nerd friends wouldn't know that he's doing this, he's going to hang out with a cool kid. [00:51:50] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

And Jesus, who is the new cool kid on the block, invites him in for a fresh cup of coffee, probably brewed on his new Nespresso toy, so that they have this nice, hot, piping coffee where they're sitting together and having a long, good chat. And this, it's at this point where Nicodemus is asking Jesus a lot of hard questions. What does it mean to be born again? What does it mean to have, well, you talk about eternal life, you talk about all of these things, what do you mean? [00:52:42] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

but he didn't just he didn't just go on with the flow of the rest of his peers you know we talk about peer pressure if all the other Pharisees are out to you know out to get Jesus out to say he's wrong and here's this this guy who's just one of the many that were part of that big nerd club actually standing up to his peers and saying well actually maybe I don't know maybe there was something in Jesus's espresso machine that convinced him that you know maybe there's a little bit more here maybe that's what convinced him to take a stand and go are you sure we do it should be doing this. [01:03:52] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

And he was there at the end, in the quiet of the night, after everything was over. Jesus' body was still just there on the cross. And he faithfully followed Joseph of Arimathea. You know, when I think about the Good Friday story, it's always Joseph of Arimathea, but Nicodemus was there as well. Perfume. That's my buddy. I mean, I shouldn't be like, he's my friend. He's just a character in the Bible. But he was there at the end. He performed the faithful deed at the end of, this is our custom. This is what we do for our people. [01:06:13] (43 seconds) Edit Clip

I began to understand that it was about being faithful in asking the questions and you don't understand because some things are hard to understand and that's okay. It's about being faithful in the chaos when everybody else is saying one thing and you know that you know that you know that maybe the crowd isn't correct. Maybe your peers aren't doing the right things and maybe you should just say, are you sure? And it's about being faithful till the very, very end. [01:07:42] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

to be faithful in the questions to be faithful in the chaos and to be faithful till the very very end so when you look at those those pairs of glasses today well i hope i hope you leave them somewhere that you know they're bright brightly colored enough that you would notice them that they may remind you to be faithful that it's okay to be a big nerd it's okay to have to go through the ups and downs of life but to put on those glasses and see the world with new lens to say actually all that is asked of me is to be faithful till the very very end because there is room at the table for all our different types of friends and there definitely is room for the one who will just sit in the dark of night with jesus. [01:09:47] (61 seconds) Edit Clip

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