October 26

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” — John 3:2 BSB

Nicodemus has been criticized for coming to Jesus at night, but there’s no reason to fault him for it. In fact, nighttime might have been the best time for a quiet conversation with Jesus. Jesus certainly didn’t criticize Nicodemus for coming at night. What mattered was that he came at all. Many people, especially those in positions of prominence, don’t recognize their need for Jesus. Nicodemus, however, set a great example by seeking Him out.

Their conversation focused on the new birth. Jesus made it clear that we can only enter the kingdom of heaven through a radical transformation. Heaven must first come to us before we can enter it. The way to experience this change is by receiving Christ as Savior, and then the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts.

Nicodemus himself was born again, for later, after Jesus’ death, he publicly honored Him by helping Joseph of Arimathea with His burial.