April 9, 2024
Tuesday for di Second Week of Easter
Di Readings for Today
Listen for English
Nicodemus answer am say, ‘How dis one fit happen?” Jesus answer am say, “You be teacher for Israel, and you no understand dis one? Amen, amen, I dey tell you, we dey talk wetin we know, and we dey give testimony about wetin we don see, but una no dey accept our testimony.” John 3:9–11
As we reflect yesterday, Nicodemus na one of di few Pharisees wey later convert, become follower of Jesus, and wey dem dey recognise today as saint. Di only other Pharisees wey dem record their names as people wey convert to Christianity na Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Acts 15:5 also show say some other Pharisees later convert.
When we look all di many times wey Jesus and di Pharisees meet, e clear say dem strongly oppose Jesus and wetin E dey teach. Dem dey always find how to trap Am, and of course, na dem later join other top religious leaders from di Sanhedrin cause His death. Because of dis, e easy to understand say serious pressure must don dey on all di Pharisees to reject Jesus. Each one of dem go don feel how strong pressure from their fellow Pharisees be, to make dem follow di general position say Jesus suppose face condemnation. Na dis be di situation behind di passage above, where Nicodemus dey ask Jesus question. Dis passage continue di Gospel conversation from yesterday, where Jesus tell Nicodemus clearly say di way to Heaven na to dey “born from above.” Nicodemus ask how person fit “dey born again,” and then Jesus talk di words wey we quote above, wey sound like criticism of Nicodemus.
E good make we understand say Jesus no dey condemn Nicodemus with dis criticism. E no use di tone wey E normally dey use when E talk say, “Woe to una…” Instead, na gentle but very direct challenge to Nicodemus, to help am move from im questions enter faith. And na dis be di main point. Nicodemus no come meet Jesus to trap Am and condemn Am as di other Pharisees do. Nicodemus come because e dey confused. And most likely, e dey confused because e feel di strong pressure wey im fellow Pharisees dey put on am to condemn Jesus.
To understand dis situation suppose help us understand no be only di goodness and courage of Nicodemus, but also di boldness wey Jesus show with love. Jesus know say Nicodemus dey open to receive wetin E dey teach. E know say Nicodemus fit come believe in Am. But Jesus also know say Nicodemus need challenge wey direct and firm. E need small “push wey holy” so e go fit receive di gift of faith. Of course, di challenge wey Jesus give am later make Nicodemus come believe in Am.
Today, reflect on any way wey you too need “push wey holy” from our Lord. Which kind worldly pressure you dey face for life? Your friends, neighbours, family members or people wey you dey work with dey put pressure on you in any way to do wetin go against life of true holiness? If na so, think deeply about di great courage of Nicodemus, Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Make di witness wey dem give inspire you, and allow our Lord challenge you for where you need am pass, so you too go receive di “push wey holy” wey you need to become follower of Jesus wey dey more faithful.
My Lord wey get all strength, You no dey shake for Your decision to challenge me for di area wey I need am pass. Help me to accept di gentle corrections wey You dey give me with love when I weak, so dat I go get di courage and strength wey I need to follow You faithfully. Help me to see clearly and give me understanding, dear Lord, and help me to overcome di pressures of di world wey dey lead person astray. Jesus, na You I trust.
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