Chapter 10 - If I Were A Good Man or What Was Nicodemus Thinking...

I've always wanted to meet Bible characters, Nicodemus is actually pretty high on my list. He may not be the average person's choice but as a person with a lot of questions, I have a number of them for him.

Maybe you have these question too...

Nicodemus, what were you really trying to accomplish that night when you visited Jesus?

Nicodemus, when you left his presence, did it do "enough" for you or did it take you more time to come to a faith in Jesus?

What about your friends at the office, they had all kinds of things to say about Jesus, but what was your thoughts when they said he was a problem?

Being a person who is insecure, I want to know, Nicodemus, did you feel really little when he questioned you back or did you get angry in side?

When you and Joseph went for the body of Jesus, what made you bold enough to "come out of the closet" with him?

Please Nicodemus, tell me, what was it like to look into his eyes? Did he seem like he was fearful? Was there a moment you knew by the look on his face you could trust him?

Nicodemus, most of all, what were your thoughts when you heard Jesus had risen from the dead?

What an amazing thing for Nicodemus to experience. A man's man in the religious world and within a few moments Jesus had him second guessing and re-examining his theology.

I would like to have that, wouldn't you? A moment to ask the questions of our heart only to find Jesus asking us the real questions that point to answers we didn't know we needed. To have our world reshaped, not by the preaching of some passionate preacher who moved our emotions but to find a man who could open the door to a room full of answers we can't handle in one easy swoop.

I like my religion the way Nicodemus did, clean cut and full of boundaries. Jesus liked his followers to look beyond boundaries that created a life that needed very little rule.

Nicodemus tasted of freedom... and he liked it.

He would later risk his life to bury Jesus because of the taste of grace. A taste that would flavor his life and bring him to a place that his heart could find peace. A place where his rules could find meaning not monotony.

Some days I see that place, I feel the gentle breeze blowing from there.

Occasionally the wind changes and with it come the howlings of my hollow religion full of rule keeping, then.... as if to quietly whisper... I hear him say... Bill, I paid the price, now enjoy the ride...

My soul soars during those times, I think Nicodemus' did too!

Till Next Time...