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At the beginning of the year many churches have had their Annual meeting, and there is always a
need for people to let their names stand for elected positions. So you may have agreed to let your
name stand, and you now have a title in your local church, and you are serious about carrying out
your duties. You may have a very busy religious life in your local Christian church. But you may
have a dreadful secret.
Nicodemus, in John chapter 3, was such a man too. He was a teacher in the temple in Jerusalem
(important like one of today's mega churches), and also elected to the Sanhedrin, which was like our
Church Council or Executive Board. However, deep down inside he puzzled over Jesus' teachings, and
had to go to Jesus privately to get Him to explain this part about being born again.
We don't read that he made any big, dramatic public confession of being born again, yet at that
first Good Friday, Nicodemus and another rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, who was also on the
Sanhedrin, showed whose side they were on when they made themselves responsible for taking Jesus'
body off the cross, wrapped it according to their burial customs, and put the body into the
first class tomb Joseph had bought for himself in a garden, handy to Jerusalem.
There exists a Gospel according to Nicodemus (I've read a part of it in German). I don't know why it
didn't make it into the Bible, but if it is not a fake, it would be clear evidence that a religious
person can see the light, discover what it is like to trust Christ as Saviour, and to serve Him
wholeheartedly - not just going through the motions in church.
It takes some humility to admit a serious spiritual lack like that, but oh the marvelous difference
when you are alive in Christ! If you need a Nicodemus style testimony - don't let pride stand in
your way, go for it. You'll never be sorry the rest of your life.
Rather, your Christian service will go from dull and tedious, to vibrant and exciting and filled
with much joy! Rather than just knowing all the information about Jesus, you can know Him
personally, talk to Him every day, and hear and obey His voice.
Ruth Marlene Friesen
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