gospel conversations

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

John 3:9

There is no better person from whom to learn how to share the gospel than Jesus. He is the gospel! And from His encounter with Nicodemus we can learn evangelistic conversation. I see Jesus carefully guiding this ruler of the Jews, gently starting where Nicodemus was, and then leading him to the gospel.

I notice several things of importance. First, look at all the questions old Nic asks! He is full of questions. They are two-thirds of the interaction that he has with Jesus. Questions like... "How can a man be born when he is old? (vs 4)" and "How can these things be? (vs 9). Jesus has rocked his worldview and the questions show he is reeling from the blow of a completely different understanding of God and what it takes to know Him. His questions come in response to what Jesus says to him. And Jesus is perfectly fine that most of the conversation with Nicodemus consists of dealing with his questions. Sometimes questions ARE the conversation. That's OK. In fact, it's very good. That is what the heart needs... it needs to get the questions out to come to terms with the facts as God leads it to faith.

Some of what happened in the conversation needed correction. And Jesus did this from the very beginning. He challenged Nicodemus' flattering introduction. He challenged the understanding of Torah that Nic displayed. Wherever Nicodemus was not in line with Jesus being trusted by faith, his previous undersanding was challenged with the gospel.

Lord,

I want to love the lost like You do. And in order for me to be faithful to share the gospel, I must lovingly answer questions, help the skeptic and challenge the notions that keep people from accepting the gospel. I want You to love people through me as I am on this life's mission.

Amen