John 3:1-2 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus gives us freedom from rituals and religiosity. He did not come to start another religion. There were enough religions already in the world. Humanity had started worshiping everything they saw and felt. We worship what we idolize. Jesus broke the tyranny of religiosity and legalism with love.
Unlike modern times with electricity that lights up the night, in ancient times once the sun went down, all doors were shut. Unless it was absolutely necessary people did not go out of their homes. There were no 24/7 supermarkets or night clubs. So when the city was empty after dusk. Hence, the Pharisee who knew that Jesus was the Messiah sneaked out at night to meet Him. This Pharisee understood that the rituals that they stringently followed and the religiosity that they preached and advocated were of no value if they lacked the relationship with the Almighty God.
It was to Nicodemus that Jesus preached the “Golden Text of the Bible”, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. All our repetitive rituals are external and earthly. John 3:16 is the Gospel in a nutshell. Jesus came to reinstate our royalty and our relationship with the Father. Obedience to the Word of God is the true expression of our relationship and love to the Lord. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love (John 15:10).
Freedom from religiosity and legalism:
1. Lethargy: Religiosity is burdensome. Ritualism causes fatigue and lethargy but a relationship with the Living Saviour is energizing and exciting. Religion will make us drag ourselves from bed to pray every morning but a thriving relationship will be so exciting that we will wake up even before dawn.
2. Legalism: Legalism of rules and regulation is like a yoke. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them (Matthew 23:4). The Pharisees had manmade additions to the Mosaic Covenant and imposed oppressive religious regulations.
3. Love: Love sets us free whereas legalism is bondage. Legalism incarcerates us in fear but a loving relationship draws us to obedience. Church tradition says that Nicodemus was not only excommunicated but was also martyred for his love for Jesus. He willingly relinquished his powerful position as he loved Jesus more than affluence, influence or opulence.
Religious births legalism but love births relationship with the Saviour of the World.
The Gospel can be summarized in one word – “Love”.
Psalm 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, set me free from wrong ideologies, manmade religion and legalism. Amen.
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