Slow Learners - November 12

Read John 3:9-12 (ESV)

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness of what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”

Reflect

Do you tend to relate to Nicodemus’ incredulity or do you find it frustrating?

Some people are pretty quick learners. For others, it takes a little bit longer to “get it” and even after they understand, it can take even longer to fully accept it. Regardless, we should take heart and be encouraged by Nicodemus’ story. Sometimes, it takes people a while to grasp the truth but the good news is, the Holy Spirit can keep working on us and on those we love.

In today’s passage, we see that even though Jesus explained spiritual rebirth and salvation to Nicodemus, he just doesn’t get it. Out of all people, Nicodemus should have understood what Jesus was teaching. As Jesus said, he was a teacher of Israel! He spent his days studying and teaching the Old Testament Scriptures. He should have been able to see how what Jesus was teaching tied back into prophecies from the Old Testament.

Yesterday, we read that in Ezekiel 36:25-27, God said that He would cleanse us, remove our hearts of stone, give us a heart of flesh, and give us His Spirit. Ezekiel 37, explains a vision that Ezekiel received from God—the valley of dry bones. In it, dry bones come together to form a whole army of living human bodies!

Then God said to Ezekiel: “Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in our own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD” (Ezekiel 37:12-14). This was a clear picture of God’s promises of the resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

These passages of Scripture, among others, should have come to Nicodemus’ mind during his conversation with Jesus. It all should have come together for him. But, in this passage at least, it doesn’t seem like Nicodemus placed saving faith in Jesus Christ just yet. He was just too wrapped up in his legalism and rituals.

But after such an encounter with Jesus, I bet this conversation replayed over and over again in Nicodemus’ mind. Maybe he even went home and poured over the Scriptures while pondering Jesus’ words. We don’t know for sure that Nicodemus accepted Jesus as his Messiah but what we know about his life after this conversation with Jesus seems to indicate that he did.

Later, when the Sanhedrin wanted to arrest Jesus, Nicodemus reminded them that their law required an investigation before condemning someone (John 7:50-51). In addition, when Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus’ body, Nicodemus was back on the scene bringing about 75 pounds of burial spices to help him embalm Jesus’ body. We don’t know for sure whether or not Nicodemus decided that Jesus was the Messiah, His Lord, but it is good evidence that he eventually did.

If you are someone who is just not sure if Jesus is your Lord yet, keep seeking Him. Keep reading and pondering the Scriptures. But understand this, at some point, you have to make a decision. You will be confronted with the evidence and you’ll need to decide what you are going to do with it. I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep working on you, showing you the truth that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. And if you are praying for a loved one who is a slow learner who just doesn’t seem to get it yet, keep praying for the Holy Spirit’s work in their life. You never know when it will finally click.

Respond

Jesus, thank You for being so patient with us, even when we are slow spiritual learners. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of everyone who, like Nicodemus, is intrigued by You but still on the fence. Soften their hearts, Lord. Show them who You are. Draw them in. Make them new. Amen.

Reveal

Reach out to one slow-learner friend this week. Read John 3:9-12 together, share where each of you struggles to understand, and pray for the Holy Spirit to open hearts. Let the truth you uncover become a testimony you both live out in your circles.