CoJourners: Learning to Share Your FaithSmakprov

## Surprisingly Close If you had been with Jesus, you may not have suspected the spiritual openness of this man. He was a teacher of the law. That group gave Jesus the most trouble, a group he condemned for hypocrisy (Matthew 23). While most people in this social group were resistant and hostile to Jesus, this man wasn’t. Nor was Nicodemus, a Pharisee counter-part (John 3:1-21; 19:38-40). Both men illustrate that a person’s religious background or social status does not determine spiritual proximity, but rather it is the response to Jesus. We sometimes make assumptions about other peoples’ spiritual interest or openness, based on their background, behavior, or even how they look. Those assumptions are often wrong and keep us from entering into significant conversations about Christ. The only certain way to know where people are spiritually is to talk with them. Thought: Never assume you know another person’s spiritual condition without asking. Take a Step: Identify someone you have assumed is spiritually closed. Ask that person about his religious background. If he declines, simply thank him. If he seems negative, ask if he has had a bad experience or been turned off by religion. For now make your goal to understand. [IMAGE CONTENT]