John 7:51

Nicodemus’ words are short and succinct. “Since you mention the law,” he interjects, “Does our law pass judgment on any man without first hearing him out or looking into what are the fruits of his labor?” John 7:51 EFP 

There you have it! Nicodemus first defense of his new-found faith. Not earth-shattering, huh? He does not make a full frontal attack on Judaism. Neither does he make a public confession of his faith in Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah. All he does is stand up for fairness and justice. You might even say he made a plea for “due process.”

I was feeling more than a bit inadequate yesterday when the narrative sets the stage for Nicodemus’ statement of today. It seems as if Nicodemus cannot stand by silently any longer. He has to say something. I admire his willingness to take a stand regardless of the cost. He follows the Spirit lead and takes a considerable risk by opening his mouth. It doesn’t matter if his first journey into the realm of the unknown is less than monumental. He speaks up. He says something. He takes a step, albeit small. That is what matters!

It matters that I am willing to take a step. God can work with anything—he can work with nothing in fact, as long as I am willing to surrender my “nothing” to him. He builds on that. My weakness. My timidity. My headstrongness. My fear. My doubt. You name it. I have to give it up to him. Open my mouth. I will never know what God can do unless I let him do it.