July 13: Weekly Reading- Nicodemus; The Inquisitive & Insight Post by Kim Feld

  -   July 14, 2025

Perseverance through Trials: Hardships can strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God.

Monday Verse

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 (NLT)

Monday Questions

What trials have helped me grow in faith? How can I embrace these challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth and rely on God’s strength to persevere?

Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld

Today’s reading about Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus includes one of the most popular verses in all of scripture, John 3:16. Let’s take a look:

¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Scholars are divided about whether verses 16-21 of John chapter three were part of Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus or John’s record of Jesus’ words about the heart of the gospel message. Either way, I find it fascinating that they are included as part of Nicodemus’ story. Nicodemus was apparently a high-level Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. To me, those things make his openness and curiosity about Jesus all the more amazing. He truly wanted to know who Jesus was. Given his position, there were likely many reasons that Nicodemus would wish to dismiss Jesus, yet he doesn’t.

The end of John chapter two tells us that while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw Him performing miracles and believed in Him. Yet, Jesus knew the fickle heart of people then, just as He does today. The end of chapter two states that Jesus “knew what was in each person,” which makes me think that He recognized Nicodemus’ sincerity.

Nicodemus’ story doesn’t end with chapter three. We see him appearing again in John 7 and then helping Joseph of Arimathea collect and prepare Jesus’ body for burial after the crucifixion (see John 19). It is believed that Nicodemus had become a follower of Jesus, albeit somewhat secretly, up to this point.

As I ponder this encounter, I’m struck by the fact that Nicodemus was a leader and teacher, yet didn’t feel that he was above learning something new or receiving a new revelation from God. He didn’t think that he had “arrived;” he was still searching, learning, and growing. His story is a powerful reminder that our growth in faith is an ongoing journey, regardless of how long we’ve been followers of Jesus. He never stops teaching us, and our growth should never end this side of heaven. This should motivate and commit us to our faith journey.

God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). I believe part of His mercy to me is showing me more and more of myself and drawing me closer to Him as a result. He always has something new that He wants me to learn. Unfortunately, I’m not always open to learning, but He is patient and persistent. He loves me just as I am, but because of His love for me, He wants me to be like Jesus.

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org