Difference like between day and night
What does it mean to rely completely on Jesus? During his ministry in this world, Jesus attracted numerous important people. One who is particularly remembered was Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin—a group of leading scholars who collaborated with the Romans in the crucifixion of Jesus. Nicodemus encountered our Savior in very different situations. Even at their first meeting, he insisted on meeting Jesus only at night for fear of losing his standing. He did not want to be publicly associated with a man whose teachings contradicted the ideas of his fellow council members.
A short time later, a changed Nicodemus emerged. The Bible reports that he not only defended Jesus before his fellow council members, but was also one of the two men who, after Jesus' death, asked Pilate to hand over the body: "After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take down Jesus' body. And Pilate gave his permission. So he came and took down Jesus' body. Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing about 100 pounds of myrrh mixed with aloes. Then they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen cloths with spices, as is the custom of the Jews." (Joh 19,38-40).
The transformation Nicodemus experienced before and after his encounter with Jesus Christ is like the difference between day and night. Before, he relied on himself to ensure his spiritual well-being. As fallen human beings, we do not possess the capacity to save ourselves. There is hope, as Jesus explained: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (Joh 3,17-18).
After Nicodemus had personally encountered the Son of God and placed his trust in him, he realized that through Christ he could stand before God pure and without shame. He experienced Jesus' promise, which says: "Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been done in God." (Joh 3,20-21).
When we enter into a close relationship with Jesus, we replace our trust in ourselves with trust in Jesus Christ, who leads us to a life of grace. As in the case of Nicodemus, this reveals a difference as vast as that between day and night.
by Joseph Tkach
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