Devotional Day 1

I love to ask questions. To some, that may seem nosy, but people are just so interesting – I love finding out new things from new people.    Questions are invaluable resources.  They are permission slips for people to share their stories, talk about their passions, and give insight into their pain.

Sometimes, on family road trips, I coerce my poor husband into answering a million questions like -”What’s was your favorite candy as a kid?”  “What is your favorite day of the week?” and “What is your idea of the perfect idea?”. I ask because I am curious.  I ask because I love him.  And I as because he is trapped in the car and cannot escape my questions. 

My friend Mark says, “Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it fuels the lion.”

Not unlike a parent of toddlers, Nicodemus, a religious leader in his day, was accustomed to answering people’s questions.  I am sure his day consisted mostly of people wanting knowledge, insight, and answers from him. It was probably more like a CPA in April – everyone wanted a piece of his brain because he had studied theology, was surrounded by other great religious minds, and practiced devout adherence to the Scriptures.

But Jesus perplexed him.  The signs Jesus performed proved that He was from God, but He did not fit into Nicodemus’ understanding – Jesus looked and acted nothing like what the religious leaders thought the promised Messiah would.  They thought He would look a lot more like them – pious and proper.

But Jesus hung out with children, prostitutes, tax collectors, twelve smelly disciples, and the ill.  He was born humbly and lived humbly.  He did not ask for crowns or parades, He just wanted to point people to God.

Nicodemus had a lot of questions.  But going to visit Jesus could reflect poorly on the man who was supposed to have all the answers. The other members of the Jewish ruling council might look down upon his desire to seek answers from the Jewish carpenter.  So he went at night, under the veil of darkness, to speak to Jesus.

Nicoldemus had questions.  Lots of questions.  And the answers Jesus provided Nicodemus are some of the most quoted Bible verses we have.   These questions helped Nicodemus bridge a relationship with Jesus and gain a deeper understanding of God.  

• If you could ask Jesus any question, what would it be?
• Read John 3:1-21.  Who is in the story?  What happens?
• Questions play a key role in the exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus.  What questions does Nicodemus ask? 
• Rewrite verse 21 in your own words.
  
• How does Jesus treat Nicodemus?
• What does this story tell us about the character of God?
• Is there something in your life or marriage you need to bring into the light?  A decision, a relationship, a sin pattern, a behavior, a habit, or a question that you need to take to Jesus?
• What can you glean from how Jesus interacted with Nicodemus to help you love and serve your spouse better?