Staying Open to God's Activity

Scripture – John 3:1-4: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Nicodemus must have been a pretty neat guy. He was a member of “the Jewish ruling council.” That means he was respected and mature, and perhaps a bit of a politician, as well. At the same time, he kept himself open to God’s word and activity. So when he saw what Jesus was doing, he knew something was up. God was doing something new in the world. And he went to Jesus to see what it was. Often I hear about some things another church is doing that raise questions for me. Instead of talking to them, I grumble and talk to other people about them. There’s something to learn from Nicodemus. Stay open. Be in dialogue. Listen for God’s voice.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will keep my spiritual ears open today. I will talk with people rather than about them.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, you do new things all the time. Give me a discerning spirit to recognize you at work in the world. Forgive me for judging other ministries without even talking to them. Please show me your way for me and the church this day.