January 8, 2021 -- John 19:39-40 -- Growth

Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

John 19:39-40 English Standard Version

What a change has taken place in Nicodemus’ life! He is now publicly performing the required rites for the burial of a body. Jesus’ body. In John 3 Nicodemus came to Jesus, secretly, at night, to ask questions. He was afraid of the opinions of men. He was afraid of what the ruling religious leaders would think of him going to seek Jesus out. Then in John 7 Nicodemus defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Here in the passage today Nicodemus is openly showing himself a follower of Jesus.

There are many times as a preacher or a mentor, I push people. It is hard to understand why this person or that one is not further along in their walk with God. The Bible gives us the glorious picture of Nicodemus, the journey of a great teacher of Israel who moves from being wise in the eyes of the world, to being humbled in the eyes of the world so that he would be wise in the ways of the Living God. Jesus in His great grace showed the way of the fisher of men. He, having planted the seed of the world in the heart of this disciple, allowed it to take hold. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, was sure of the Spirit’s work to bring the seed of the word to germination.

When the Spirit of God brings new life, the one made alive in Christ will grow at the pace the Father sets. It is a joy to answer questions. It is a gift to pray for the one being mentored. And it is the work of the Living God to give growth and healing and progress at the pace He determines. What a difficult lesson this is for an overly-enthused teacher such as I can be.

God, Faithful, Patient Father, teach us true humility. Thank You for the call You have placed on us in Christ to be fishers of men. Spirit of God, teach us the patient work of praying for those whom we mentor—children or friends, new converts or life-long Christians—endeavoring to grow in the knowledge of and praise to the Triune God. Gracious King of Glory, thank You for the privilege of planting seeds. Mighty God, thank You for the times of blessing when it is our joy to see the growth You bring. Bind us together as Christians, young and old, new in the faith and long established in the blessed way of salvation, so that together we may offer ourselves up to You and in the service of love to one another. Amen.

https://youtu.be/IzXnINe12_E