Want to Know God?

In John’s Gospel we find an encounter that Jesus had with a man named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and was what the world would label a very religious man. He could quote verbatim the first five books of the Old Testament. In today’s world, he would be sought out for his expert opinion on religious issues. Yet this religious man was still searching for purpose and meaning to life. 

Many in the church can identify with Nicodemus’ feeling empty inside, even though they are religious. They are actively involved in and even lead in the church, but in the innermost parts of their hearts they still feel empty. 

But we can learn from Nicodemus. He did not continue in the wilderness of the religiously lost.

Notice what Nicodemus did when he came to Jesus. He knew there was more to life than just knowing about God. Jesus’ response was not to belittle him but to love him. 

Notice that Jesus did not tell him that he needed to be more religious.

Instead Jesus explained that being born again has everything to do with a relationship with God. The only way to experience this new birth is by the Spirit of the living God. So hungry was this religious, empty man, he cried out, “How does this happen?” Jesus replied with one of the most powerful promises in all the Word of God, “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life,” John 3:16.

Jesus shared with this devoutly religious man who was lost, that he must surrender his life to the Lordship of Christ. Is that not wonderful? 

My question to you is, “Are you religiously lost?” Are you, like Nicodemus, just going through the routine of religion, yet empty in the innermost part of your being? Let me suggest you come to Jesus and simply trust Him to be the Lord of your life. Once you do that, you will come out of the wilderness of religion and be born again to enter a relationship with the living God.