John 7:25-52; 1 Chronicles 29; Zechariah 13

“ Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” (John 7:50-52 NKJV)

Nicodemus shows up again the story of Jesus. My guess is that it’s daytime. The light has dawned on him. As the chief priests and Pharisees were attacking Jesus and denigrating those who followed Him, Nic asked a pertinent question. “Don’t we need to hear him out before we condemn him?” I’ve always found that question interesting, because they could have listened to His teachings at any time, but were so focused on minor things that they missed what He taught. Nicodemus had experienced Jesus. He knew that his vote would be not guilty in any proceedings.The Pharisees attacked Nicodemus for suggesting that they remember the process of the law by noting that Nicodemus must be from Galilee if he was going to support this Galilean would-be Messiah, since no prophet came out of Galilee.

We need more people like Nicodemus today. Our world has become so judgmental that disagreement is labeled as hate. If you don’t like the right people or support the right causes, people on the other side consider you a “hater.” But that’s ok, because people on your side will consider those others haters. Everyone who disagrees with us must be infected with the plague of Galilee because nothing good can come from there. Like Nathanael (John 1) we want to judge people by where they’re from; what political views they hold, how much money they have, and many other non-essentials in God’s scheme of things. The only question we should have regarding fellowship with others is “Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” If the answer is affirmative, then we can work on growing together. If it’s negative, then we can show them the joy we have in Christ. In both cases, we need to be an example of God’s love.

Lord, help me to see others as You see them. Don’t let me worry about the outward trappings of their lives, let me see their hearts and let me help connect those hearts to Your heart. Show them Your love by working through me.