Afraid of being discovered, Nicodemus made an appointment to see Jesus at night. Daylight conversations between Pharisees and Jesus tended to be antagonistic, but Nicodemus really wanted to learn.  He probably got a lot more than he expected — a challenge to a new life! We know very little about Nicodemus, but we know that he left that evening’s encounter a changed man. He had begun to change.

Nicodemus next appears as part of the Jewish council. (7:50)  As the group discussed ways to eliminate Jesus, Nicodemus raised the  question of justice.  Although his objection was overruled, he had spoken up.  He had begun to change.

Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him jointing Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial. (19:39)  Realizing what he was risking, Nicodemus was making a bold move. He was continuing to Grow.

God looks for Steady growth, not instant perfection. How well does your present level of spiritual growth match up with how long you have known Jesus?

Every group needs an “encourager,” because everyone needs encouragement at one time or another.  However, the value of encouragement is often missed because it tends to be private rather then public.  In fact, people most need encouragement when they feel most alone.  A man named Joseph was such an encourager that he earned the nickname “Son of Encouragement,” or Barnabas, from the Jerusalem Christians. Barnabas was drawn to people he could encourage, and he was a great help to those around him. It is delightful that wherever Barnabas encouraged Christians, non Christians flocked to become believers.

Barnabas’s actions were crucial to the early church. In a way, we can thank him for most of the New Testament.  God used his relationship with Paul at one point and with Mark at another to keep these two men going when either might have failed. Barnabas did wonders with encouragement.

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem for the first time following his conversion, the local Christians were understandably reluctant to welcome him.  They thought his story was a trick to capture more Christians.  only Barnabas proved willing to risk his life to meet with Paul and then convince the others that their former enemy was now a vibrant believer in Jesus.  We can only wonder what might have happened to Paul without Barnabas.

It was Barnabas who encouraged Mark to go with him and Paul to Antioch.  Mark joined them on their first missionary journey, but decided during the trip to return home. Later Barnabas wanted to invite Mark to join them for another journey, but Paul would not agree.  As a result, the partners went separate ways, Barnabas with Mark and Pail with Silas. This actually doubled the missionary effort.  Barnabas’s patient encouragement was confirmed by Mark’s eventual effective ministry. Paul and Mark were later reunited in missionary efforts.

As Barnabas’s life shows, we are rarely in a situation where there isn’t someone we can encourage.  Our tendency, however, is to criticize instead.  It may be important at times to point out someone’s shortcomings in order to help them grow, but before we have the right to do this, we must build that person’s trust through encouragement. Are you prepared to encourage those with whom you come into contact with today?

God I pray that You would release the spirit of Barnabas  in my life and in the life of the Church. God let us, let me be an Encourager for you!

In the first trick the magician cut a rope into pieces and then “magically” restored the rope to one whole length.  In the second illusion the magician borrowed a watch from an audience member, placed it in a handkerchief and pounded the handkerchief with a hammer.  The stunned audience member heard the watch shatter. As the watch owner looked on, the performer reached into the folded handkerchief and produced the same watch, perfectly intact.

Job probably felt like both the rope and the watch during his times of suffering. People and possessions dear to him were systematically being cut away, while adversity, sickness and suffering pounded his life.  Unlike the magician resolving an illusion with sleight of hand, God’s loving hand ultimately restored Job’s life in response t his faith and devotion, even in the face of hardship.

When we encounter tough times and wonder whether we can hold on to our faith, we need to remember that Job’s story had a happy ending.  God restored Job’s life with people and possessions, blessing him with herds and flocks, ten more children and several generations of grandchildren before his death.  Surely the shock and pain of the losses he had suffered earlier on never left his memory.  But the knowledge of God’s overarching care for him, coupled with the evidence of God’s blessing later in life, much have been a comfort to him in his later years.

Continuing to trust in God is tough, especially when we lose people we love or possessions we have worked hard to attain. We all can admit to times when God seemed distant, despite our pleas to him in prayer.  But during such times maintaining our faith isn’t impossible. Persistence and optimism are key elements to seeing God’s work in our lives.

God doesn’t promise that our lives will be free of adversity.  Instead, he pledges to remain faithful when we put our trust in Him.