45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
47“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,51“Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
52They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (John 7:45-52)
Thoughts: Nicodemus went from going to see Jesus at night to simply asking for fairness. He wanted Jesus to be treated fairly. A little ironically, in verse 48 they ask if any religious leaders have believed in him. This is Nicodemus' chance. He does not say, "Oh, I believe in Him." No, but he asks that he be treated legally and fairly. Of course they do not treat Jesus fairly. He went from being curious about Jesus to being neutral about Him. There are many people today who may not believe but they want Christians to be treated with a fair shake. Eventually Nicodemus stands up for his new found faith (we'll see this tomorrow). But he progresses from curiosity to fair, to believing. In the meantime, Christians should welcome those who treat Christ and his followers with curiosity or fairness.
Prayer: Lord, help me to follow you and give myself to you. Give me grace to treat others who are not against you with respect.
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