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June 20, 2007
In Pastor's Words
Who’s Your Bible Hero?
People love to rally round a hero: the soldier who valiantly defends his nation, the passerby who rescues a drowning child, the neighbor who helps in crisis, the doctor who saves a life. We have our favorite Bible heroes, too. Noah built an incredibly big ship on dry land at God’s direction in the face of decades of ridicule! Abraham launched out in faith across miles of unknown wilderness to obey God. Moses stood up to the greatest monarch on earth and demanded, “Let my people go!” Gideon battled the vast Midianite army with a mere 300 men. Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Daniel submitted to being thrown to the lions and survived without a scratch! Samson was victorious over the Philistines. On and on the Bible goes with one amazing story after another of people who endured unthinkable challenges and came out on top with God’s enabling. Other heroes are highlighted in the Bible’s “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. One name not mentioned among the heroes is Nicodemus, whom God strategically used.
Heroes are usually marked by unusual courage. You may be one of those who think you are not a courageous person and might feel more like one of two boys who went to the dentist’s office. Two small boys went into the dentist’s office and one said to the dentist, “Say, doc, will you pull a tooth right this minute? I don’t want gas or nothin. Just give her a good yank.” “Sure,” said the dentist, “now that’s what I call being courageous. Just show me the tooth you want pulled.” And the boy called, “Willy, come on over here and show the Doc your tooth!” Amazing courage is even found in nature. Did you know that there are 488 kinds of hummingbirds. You can find them from the top of Canada all the way down to the bottom of South America. The smallest of these is found in Cuba where the hummingbird measures 1 ¼ inches long. Despite its size it has a ferocious temper and will attack intruders with bewildering courage. They are absolutely fearless!
Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to Jesus by night to inquire about the new birth, has often been thought as a coward because of his surreptitious meeting with the Lord. But a closer look bears a different story. A more correct conclusion about Nicodemus is that he was a man of courage who, first, sought Jesus (John 3). Taking a huge risk to his position in coming to Jesus at all, when it was politically dangerous to do so, Nicodemus demonstrated a measure of courage that was more than amazing. His inquiries about the new birth and hunger for truth were genuine. Possessing an office in Israel that at that time was equal to being a college professor, a supreme court justice and the bishop of a church, combined, Nicodemus showed courage in coming to Jesus. A second reason we believe Nicodemus was courageous is that he defended Jesus. There is an interesting exchange in John 7:50,51 between Nicodemus and his colleagues concerning the sending of soldiers to arrest Jesus, but who came back empty handed and complained, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” The other Pharisees mocked the soldiers, but Nicodemus came to Jesus’ defense, saying, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” In defending Jesus, Nicodemus was willing to bear the scorn of his fellow Pharisees. Yet a third reason that convinces us that Nicodemus was courageous is that, at last, he confessed Christ. In John 19:38-40, following the crucifixion of Jesus, it is Nicodemus, together with Joseph of Arimithea, who step forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial after all of Jesus’ friends, family, followers and disciples had left the scene. In that incredibly brave and meaningful act, Nicodemus confessed, by his courageous act, that Jesus was His Lord.
Whether or not Nicodemus is your favorite Bible hero, he definitely stands out as a courageous New Testament character who sought, defended, and confessed Jesus. This Sunday, in keeping with this theme, we’ll be considering, “Finding Courage for Life’s Challenges.” Please join us.
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at June 20, 2007 11:39 AM