“The Great Conversation .. Great Men Have Great Qualities”

Friday, January 18, 2008 – “The Great Conversation… Great Men Have Great Qualities”

During my quiet time this morning, I thought more about the public figure and respected leader (Nicodemus) visiting Jesus at the home where Jesus was staying.

There must have been tension in the air when Nicodemus entered the home. Those present realized that a leader from the religious establishment had paid a highly unusual visit. By this time, Jesus had already referred to the religious establishment as hypocrites. Jesus had thrown a temper fit when he saw individuals selling goods for exorbitant prices in the synagogue.. the church of the day. It could not have sat well with the establishment when Jesus kicked those folks out of the temple.

Max Lucado, in his book, 3:16 . . . Words of Hope, was correct in describing the atmosphere in the home, “The noisy room silences as he [Nicodemus] enters.” (p.4) Those present also recognized that the visit from this respected, public figure of the religious establishment was out of the norm and unique. There was understandable tension. Each man in the room must have wondered silently if the tension that existed between Christ and the religious establishment was about to intensify.

There also may have been inner thoughts about what Nicodemus would say. Even thought Jesus had referred to the religious establishment as hypocrites, Nicodemus was considered a man of character whose life mirrored his words. It was a meeting of two (2) men of character who each had followers. One was a public figure who broke tradition by paying a visit to a man who had been highly critical of the establishment he represents.

There are sincere men and men of character and integrity in virtually every field of life. Nicodemus exhibited great character in this visit to talk to Jesus. His fellow leaders would have disapproved. Certainly, Nicodemus could have sent a message for Jesus to meet him somewhere in private. Clearly, Nicodemus knew that each word he shared, and each word shared by Jesus would be heard by those present and shared in private circles.

Indeed, one would think that Nicodemus asked a trusted friend to find out where Jesus was spending the nite so he could visit Jesus. Those who were confidants of Nicodemus must have also wondered why Nicodemus was paying this visit to a man who had had been critical of the religious establishment.

Yet, it must have been silently believed by the confidants of Nicodemus and the followers of Christ that two (2) men of great character, both leaders in religious communities in tension with the other, were about to dialogue face to face… and one man (Nicodemus) risked damage to his career and reputation, and certainly would be the subject of many questions and scrutiny, by initiating this private meeting.

This is the setting for the verse (John 3:16) that is often quoted in whole or in part. Today, that verse is often used in public or private preaching about becoming a Christian. While the verse certainly speaks to that subject, the context of the verse is a meeting in private, at nite, between two (2) individuals of great character who represented communities at odds with each other.

At this point, the words of John 3:16 had not been spoken and no one knew what would be shared between Nicodemus and Jesus. This is the setting behind the verse, John 3:16, “For God so Loved the World, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.”

My hope is that you guys.. Jonah, Josh & Joel, will seek out and spend time with great men whose lives are led, despite imperfection, in an attempt, to mirror their convictions.

Dad

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