Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday - Connect the Testaments: A 365-Day Devotional with Bible Reading Plan - Logos

 February 6: Student or Scholar?

Exodus 14:1–15:27; John 3:1–21; Song of Solomon 2:4–7

Sometimes we approach God with curiosity, but not with a spirit of humility. We enjoy participating in religious discussions, but forging the link between interpretation and application is complex. We have certain expectations of who He should be for us, but we don’t think about aligning our lives with Him.

Was Jesus a Messiah, like Moses or David, who would restore Israel? Nicodemus—a Pharisee, a leader of his fellow Jews, and a teacher of Israel—wanted answers from Jesus. He told Him, “we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can perform these signs that you are performing unless God were with him” (John 3:2).

The scholar quickly became a student. He was a teacher of Israel, but he didn’t really understand Jesus’ teaching; his questions showed that he was hesitant to believe Him, despite all the signs. Through His answers, Jesus showed Nicodemus that he wasn’t in a place to hold Jesus accountable. Instead, it was the other way around: Nicodemus needed to be challenged and transformed.

We might be like Nicodemus, approaching God with off-par expectations. Jesus showed Nicodemus that he had to receive the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. To see the kingdom of God and enter into it, we need to do the same.

Are you teachable? Do you approach God ready to learn and apply His words?

Rebecca Van Noord

 Barry, John D., and Rebecca Kruyswijk. Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Print. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.