In the Stillness of the Night

Devotion

2-1-10

In the Stillness of the Night

John 3:1-3

 

Jake sat quietly listening to his sister talk about a homeless man who was living in their village.  He was like no other man and seemed to know just the right words to say with each question that was asked of him.  She was full of excitement as she told the story of how she had seen him run into a burning building to save a little girl and how he had taken no praise for it.  She was in awe of his humble and kind demeanor, she was sure he was there to make a difference and she wanted to meet him.  However, this man was also disfigured and bent over.  In fact some people were really afraid of him and wondered why he was always trying to be so nice.  “No one is nice all the time” the people would say, “He must want something, maybe he is hiding out from the law or has an evil story behind the scars on his face.  Stay away from him, he could be dangerous.”  Yet, Sally, Jake’s sister, was not afraid of him or of the curl people in her village.  She was going to meet him and nothing anyone could say would stop her.

 

Later that afternoon Sally set out to find the disfigured man.  She had even baked some cookies to give to him.  She was sure he was kind from all the good things he had done and she wanted to show him some kindness in return. Sure enough she found him sitting under a huge oak tree by the valley stream.  He was eating figs and nuts and just enjoying the beauty of the nature that surrounded him.  Sally gently walked up to him and said, “Sir, would it be ok if I come to sit with you?  I have brought you some cookies.” The man smiled and welcomed her.  They talked for hours as he shared the story of his life with her.  He explained the scares and the reason he wanders from town to town helping others, even if they do not welcome him as a friend.  Sally was in awe as she listened to his gentle calm voice and she knew that this man was someone she could trust with her life. That day he changed her outlook, her value for mankind, and a touch of his kindness and mercy for others seemed to fill her up with hope. 

 

After hearing Sally explain her visit, Jake wondered why the people in the village were so afraid of him.  What didn’t they like about him, his disfigurement or his homelessness? Well whatever it was he was going to find out.  He would go and talk to him himself.  Later that evening, in the stillness of the night, Jake headed out to find the man.  He didn’t want anyone seeing him with the man because he was afraid of what the people would say.  So quietly he slipped out into the cover of darkness. There he was, sitting by a warm campfire looking up into the heavens.  As Jake approached he announced himself. “Sir, it is I, Jake, Sally’s brother and I want to talk to you.” The man welcomed him and they sat for about an hour side by side with the light of fire illuminating their faces. His voice warmed Jake’s heart and the disfigurement of the man’s face had all but disappeared in his eyes.  As he listen to the words the man spoke Jake realized the talk in the village was all wrong, this man was not someone to be feared but someone to embrace.  He returned over and over again to listen to the words of the man, yet always by the cover of darkness in the stillness of the night. Jake liked the man, he wanted to be his friend, but only if no one was watching.  Would Jake ever stop living in fear or would he come to understand that if the man was truly his friend he would be bold enough to welcome him in the light?

Before you begin the Bible study part of this devotion, please take a moment to talk to the Father and lay before Him anything that may be hindering your relationship with Him.  Ask Him for understanding of His word as you study. When you have finished open your Bible to John chapter 3.

 

Read out loud John Chapter 3:1-15

 

 

Does the story of Nicodemus remind you of Jake in our devotion story you just read?

 

 

Now let’s take a closer look at verses 1-3.  Read them again.

 

Who was Nicodemus? ____________________________________________________________

 

When did he come to Jesus? _______________________________________________________

 

Why do you think he came at night? Do you think he was afraid? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What or who do you think he was afraid of and why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What did Nicodemus call Jesus? ___________________________________________________

 

Why did he call him that? _________________________________________________________

 

So really he knew Jesus was from God, he just didn’t really know how yet.  Nevertheless he did hide his meetings with Jesus out of fear.  What about you?  Do you only meet Jesus in the stillness of the night when no one is looking?

 

Do you live your life like you are afraid to speak the name of Jesus in front of others?

 

Are you afraid of losing your job if you talk about Jesus?

 

Are you concerned about what others might think or say if you live sold out to Jesus?

 

Are you afraid you won’t be liked if you tell someone about needing Jesus as their Savior?

 

Are you willing to set the fear aside and meet with Jesus in the light?

 

I hope you have answered these questions honestly, because the Lord knows your truthful answers that lay inside your heart.  Pray and ask God to reveal the truth and then ask Him for the strength and courage to be bold with the name of Jesus.  Come to Jesus in the light and not in the stillness of the night.