“Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” —John 3:1-2
Cloaked in the darkness of night, Nicodemus approached Jesus, the all-encompassing light, cloaked in flesh. Nicodemus was a “Who’s Who” of the Jewish people–a Pharisee, a scholar, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. He was a man of authority in Jerusalem. This man noticed the miraculous signs Jesus performed. He knew enough to know that these things could not have been accomplished by mere man–the fingerprints of God were all too obvious. “Pala” works–things too hard for man to do–point us to the Creator.
I love how Jeremiah states this fact in his prayer:
“Oh, Sovereign Lord, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!” —Jeremiah 32:17
“You did miracles and amazing deeds in the land of Egypt which have had lasting effect. By this means you gained both in Israel and among humankind a renown that lasts to this day. ” —Jeremiah 32:20
Job, after being confronted and questioned by God responded similarly:
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’ But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know.” —Job 42:2-3
Indeed, Jesus speaking to the father of the boy with an evil spirit appears taken aback when the man asked if there was anything Jesus could do to help them:
“Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him? And he said, “From childhood.”
“It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
“Then Jesus said to him, “If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” —Mark 9:21-24
Later in Mark Jesus tells us:
“Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but not for God; all things are possible for God.” —Mark 10:27
The miracles of Jesus prompted Nicodemus to want to learn more. Approaching Jesus at night, he desired to talk with Him alone without the constant interruptions of the public fanfare. While others were perhaps resting, sleeping, or at their leisure, Nicodemus pursued further knowledge.
Take It to Heart
Miracles show us the fingerprints of God, spurring us to seek Him. One of the ways we can do this is by pursuing further knowledge of God through His Word of. We are called to be zealous in this pursuit:
“Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” —2 Timothy 2:15
“Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.” —Oswald Chambers
Further Reflections
“Here was Nicodemus, a judicious, sensible, inquisitive man, one who had all the reason and opportunity imaginable to examine them, so fully satisfied that they were real miracles that he was influenced by them to go contrary to the stream of those of his own rank.” —Matthew Henry
“If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” —John 10:37-38