John Chapter Three

I absolutely love John 3. It is one of my favorite chapters because I feel as though Nicodemus is someone that relate well to. All this talk is going around about Jesus and people are choosing sides. The people are flocking to Jesus and soaking up what he has to offer. The religious leaders, of which Nicodemus is a part, are weary and are not very accepting of Jesus. Nicodemus, therefore, is scared to approach Jesus when everyone can seem him, but he is curious and must know. He decides to go at night, when no one is around. I can relate. I am often scared of what others think of me and am sometimes afraid to step out and do what I am convicted to do. This chapter gives me hope though because Jesus doesn't send Nicodemus away. He doesn't tell him, "Why don't you make a stand and approach me before people and not be scared?" Rather Jesus meets Nicodemus and converses with him. Jesus is still straight forward with him but he lets Nicodemus approach in the way he needs to.

I hear some testimonies and wonder why I haven't had some dramatic experience or change. Is my experience not as real, deep, or meaningful? No, I just think I'm more like Nicodemus instead of Paul. Like Nicodemus I've taken a slow approach, coming cautiously instead of jumping all in at once. It's nice to know that Jesus accepts both, he just wants me to come.

There is really so much that I could say about this chapter. So much of it was completely relevant to my week and helped me to make it through the week. In verse 2, Nicodemus tells Jesus that these miracles couldn't be happening unless it was from God. This week there were some really heavy times for me and I had to keep remembering that God was leading and that he was there. There were times that I would question is this really God, or is it just me and my own musings? Then I would read this verse and it seemed as though God was pointing out to me that it is only of him. He let all these wonderful things happen previously so that I could think about that and remember those things to help me get through the heavier times and know that he was still leading.

Then verse 16; the most renown verse of the Bible, touched me in a whole new way. Usually I read this verse and I think; oh yes, God loves me and I go on about life. This week reading it was different. As I was praying about things for others and myself, he said to me with this verse, "Tash, I love you and I love them so much that I already made the ultimate sacrifice for you and for them. There is nothing I will not do to help and I will take care of you and the people you are praying for." Crazy, but it was so true. If he was already willing to give his son for me, I know that he is still working in my behalf and taking care of me. He stops at nothing for our well being to keep us near to him, if we just let him.

Alright one more, I want to finish on verse 30. John the Baptist is speaking here:

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

As I'm seeking to connect to Christ and grow ever closer to him, I realize that it is he that must take over my heart and that my selfish wants and desires must decrease so that I may be completely consumed by Christ.