Nic at Night
His footsteps fell silent on the dusty road. The only sound came from his long robe swishing against his legs. He scanned the street, making sure no one was watching.
It was very dark, and Nicodemus shivered. He wished for a lamp but could not risk drawing attention to himself. If anyone finds out I'm going to see Jesus, I'll lose my job at the temple, he thought, quickly turning into an alley.
Just days earlier Jesus had preached at the temple. Nicodemus had never heard a rabbi speak the way Jesus did. Nicodemus had many questions for Jesus and wanted to talk with Him alone. But the other men who worked at the temple did not like the young teacher.
Nicodemus' legs felt like jelly as he stood before the house where Jesus was staying. Before he could knock, the door opened and light appeared. Jesus smiled and stepped into the night carrying an oil lamp. Everyone inside was asleep, so Jesus pointed up. They climbed the narrow stairs to the flat roof.
“I'm glad you came, Nicodemus,” Jesus said as they sat down.
“Thank you,” Nicodemus answered. He did not know where to start. He wanted to ask Jesus all of his questions, but he couldn't find the words. Finally, he spoke: “I think you are a very wise teacher, Jesus. You are able to do amazing things. You must be from God.”
Jesus leaned forward, looked into Nicodemus' eyes and said, “Let me tell you the truth. A person must be born again in order to live with God.”
Nicodemus was confused. “How can an old man like me be born again? Like a baby?”
“I am not talking about that kind of birth,” Jesus said. “I mean that a person must become new and different on the inside. Instead of wanting to do bad deeds, he must want to do new things that are good.”
Nicodemus scratched his thick, gray beard. “How does this happen?”
“The Almighty God makes it happen,” Jesus answered. “You see, Nicodemus, God is very loving. Even when no one loved God, He loved people, and He sent His only Son to make a way for bad people to become good again.”
Nicodemus' eyes widened at Jesus' wonderful words. “The people who believe in God's Son are forgiven of all their sins,” Jesus continued. “They will live with God forever.”
“But shouldn't people be afraid of their Creator?” Nicodemus asked.
Jesus smiled. “Not if they know God's Son, Nicodemus. Look at this lamp beside us. God's Son lights up the dark just like this lamp. People don't have to be afraid or live in darkness anymore.”
Jesus reached down and picked up the small lamp. “It's late,” He said. “Why don't you take my lamp for your walk home.”
Nicodemus thanked Jesus and walked back into the dark street. How different it was to walk with the light Jesus had given him.
I'm not afraid anymore, Nicodemus thought, looking at the lamp. Jesus, the Son of God. He must be the Light of the world!