Sermon nuggets Thur May 15, 2008
Theme Calling for a Decision
Further Considerations
As our political candidates express their claims and people comment on their concerns and evaluate their own opinions, we listen and see if these things are true or make sense to us. As we consider the campaign, some things we haven’t thought about before consider if this isn’t just another political ploy or taken out of context or if it is legitimate. Sometimes the news broadcasts will do “reality check” or factual evaluation on the claims and the counterclaims and political ads allowing us to re-evaluate our choices.
It is healthy to listen to the concerns and hear differing viewpoints. After hearing discussions about Jesus the people might ask for the reality check if the Messiah was to come from Galilee? The Pharisees and teachers of the law were implying that Jesus is to come from Judea. This concern is based upon a lack of information concerning Jesus' tie to Bethlehem. Had the Pharisees been desirous to know, they would have inquired and discovered indeed, Jesus was born in the City of David, and was from the lineage of David, just as the prophets predicted.
There was another consideration when the guards listened to Jesus and discovered He spoke like none other. He was quite a public speaker. But He spoke with authority and power. There was something that prevented that arrest. They heard him say concerning Himself, v.28,29 "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.". He is more than a prophet, and certainly the conclusion of the words bothered the guards. At this point they were not willing to arrest Jesus.
The leaders and Pharisees ignored his claims and more concerned with the political implications of their position if they went against party lines. There was prejudice in their evaluations, even against the kinds of people who were Jesus’ followers. They had no status. Their votes would not be based on facts and evaluations, but only what their leaders and the rich told them to think. When Nicodemus questioned this, they started attacking his loyalty.
Of course, there were followers of Jesus who were well learned in the law and in Scripture. From time to time even priests and Scribes were included in the lists of believers. So it was that Nicodemus was convinced they were not giving Jesus a fair hearing. It is apparent that Nicodemus took Jesus words seriously that night that they visited as recorded in John 3. Nicodemus was challenging them to consider the words and works of Jesus.
People in looking at making a decision need to evaluate the concerns and give further considerations as to what is behind the opinions. But when it comes to Jesus we will be judged based on our own conclusion and commitment, not what others conclude.
Pastor Dale
