The Danger of Seeking JesusVzorec

Have you ever become so good at something that it became a barrier to growth? I've seen this happen with accomplished musicians who couldn't learn a new style. My friend excelled in the military but struggled working in a church environment. I’ve even seen followers of Jesus who experienced Him powerfully in the past oppose the way He is at work in the present.

This is precisely what happened to Nicodemus. He was a religious expert, a master of Jewish law and traditions—but his expertise became a barrier to experiencing the Transformative Power of Jesus.

Nicodemus started his conversation with flattery: "Rabbi, you're an incredible teacher. God must be with you—there's no other explanation for your miracles."

This wasn't casual praise. By calling Jesus "Rabbi," Nicodemus used a title of respect reserved for recognized teachers. It was rare for someone as young as Jesus, without formal religious education, to receive this title—especially from a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of 70 Jewish leaders.

Why did he come at night? Perhaps Jerusalem was overflowing with Passover visitors, and he wanted a quiet conversation. Or maybe he didn't want his colleagues to know he was meeting this controversial Teacher.

I can imagine Nicodemus standing on crumbling stairs—they support him for now, but he has no idea how weak his understanding is. Jesus immediately challenged his foundation: "Unless someone is Born Again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."

Jesus effectively told him, "Your religious credentials are impressive, but they're not enough. Being religious is not the same as being Born Again."

This wasn't a minor theological correction. Jesus introduced a new paradigm: "I didn't come to make people religious. I came to invite people to be Born Again, Born from Above."

Today, we can see the invitation echoed throughout Scripture:

• Ezekiel prophesied: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
• Paul wrote: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and see, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• John wrote: "We know that we've passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters" (1 John 3:14).

Jesus wasn't suggesting a slight adjustment to Nicodemus's religious practice. He was inviting him to a radical, core identity transformation—from death to Life, from darkness to Light, from a heart of stone to a Heart of Flesh.

Maybe you've been told that Christianity is primarily about religious activities—attending church, reading the Bible, praying. None of those are bad, but they're not the goal. The goal is becoming someone you've never been through Jesus—truly transformed by His Power.

This is why seeking Jesus may mean unlearning things you've held dear. Nicodemus struggled with this, and it might be your struggle, too. Sometimes, the hardest part isn't learning new things but unlearning old ways. Is there something Jesus is inviting you to unlearn today?

Tomorrow, we'll explore why Jesus's Words often don't make sense at first—and what to do when that happens.