Show y What Does The Bible Say Sav REV REY SO BO E. E RUBEL t B By 1 4 r r The third oter rater of Johns John's tells he well-known well r Gospel p cl and nd y of II a a man Ii r named ed Nice Nico NicolS s who came cameo 10 o Jesus by a it id in search of spiritual knowledge This seems rather strange for the Bible informs informs in- in It us that Nicodemus Nicodem us was a 3 fo forms 3 member of the church a memi mem- mem 1 i ber Jer r of the Ute sect sect of the 1 t i ce rees a leader in the Jewish 1 Church h h a m member mbel of the San- San l l the high church council i i and the s supreme preme court of the nation Jewish Jc I 1 OR on not Nicodem- Nicodem WHETHER i f us lIS sever became a true follower 1 of Jesus Christ we are not deft definitely def def- t told There are only two other references to him in the entire Bible and both are in the Gospel of St. St John When the chief priests and Pharisees spoke violent violently it against Jesus John 7 51 it was Nicodemus who arose to speak in defense of the Savior Doth our pur law judge any man before it hear him And after the tile crucifixion we are told in John 19 39 that this same Nicodemus Nicodemus Nicodemus Nic Nic- odemus joined Joseph of Ari- Ari in preparing the Saviors Savior's Saviors Savior's Sav Sav- body for burial IF JOSEPH of could be labeled with the title being a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the the Jews John 19 38 it would appear appear ap ap- ap- ap pear that the same title might apply to Nicodemus at least in ina ina I a measure In every age there have been those who because of weakness fear or faintheartedness have not taken an open stand FOR FORthe FORthe FORthe the Savior although in their secret heart of hearts they have found in Christ their only Stay and Hope They too are areto areto areto to be numbered among Christs Christ's followers Even a WEAK faith saves-not saves because it is weak but because it is faith THE BIBLE says A UA bruised reed shall He not break and the smoking flax shall He not quench Isaiah 42 3 It is for those hesitating and timid followers of Christ that we and the Christian Church prays We say Oh make the deaf to hear hearThy hearThy hearThy Thy Word And teach the dumb to speak dear Lord Who dare not yet the faith avow Oh make the deaf to hear hearThy hearThy hearThy Thy Word And teach the dumb to speak dear Lord Who dare not yet the faith avow Though secretly they hold it now GOD GRANT us His Holy Spirit to help us boldly confess our faith in Christ openly and courageously |