Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. — John 3:1-3 (NIV)
Nicodemus was educated, well-respected and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Yet he had sought out Jesus at night, under the cover of darkness. With all his status and accomplishments, he felt restless and his soul longs for more. The religious rituals, knowledge and laws could not fill the emptiness in his heart. His restlessness led him to Jesus late one night – for he believed that God was with Jesus.
Jesus told him that he must be born again – which led to much confusion. How can we be born again, he asked. Jesus told him that he must be born again of water and spirit. Jesus offered him a new life in the spirit.
In our lives, we sometimes go through a midnight season – a time of darkness, confusion, and uncertainty. When we feel unsettled, God sometimes use this holy restlessness to draw us closer to Him.
In the quiet darkness, we reflect upon our plans, our calling and our purpose. Surely, there is more than this daily grind of busy activities? And the answer is: Yes.
The answer is in the person of Jesus and HIs Kingdom. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that God is not about religion and its many rules and rituals, as perceived by the Jews during his time. God truly longs to have a deep relationship with us, like a loving father for his beloved children.
My Invitation
This is my invitation to you: If you find yourself in a midnight season—restless, questioning, and searching for something more—don’t rush to silence those feelings. Like Nicodemus, allow your restlessness to lead you toward Jesus. What feels like confusion may actually be an invitation to a deeper encounter with Him.