Come and See

Going to the place where he knew Jesus to be was a most difficult journey for Nicodemus.  The thing most remember about this unlikely seeker is the fact that he went under the cover of darkness to avoid being seen by his peers.  Of course, the Word does not give us this as the reason, but such conjecture has been so prevalent, it has become reality.  Regardless of the reason for looking up Jesus at night, it was surely one of the hardest and longest journeys of this man's life.  He was at the top of everyone's ladder.  He was one of the ones who was regarded as in the know when it came to knowing about God.    

What is clear from the written text is that Nicodemus had been a watcher of Jesus for some time.  And, if not a watcher, then he had become a listener of those who came to him with reports about the activity of this young rabbi called Jesus.  (John 3:2)  What also seems clear is that Nicodemus was wondering if he might be missing something.  Had such had not been the case, he would have been at home instead of out in the dark past his bedtime.  For Nicodemus there was more than just a little risk in seeking out Jesus.  On the one hand, his peers would be appalled and he would fall in the world of public opinion.  But, on the other hand, what must have felt like a greater risk was living a life that ended up at the end being empty. 

So, he went.  He went just like so many of the rest of us.  Many of us were not convinced in the beginning that Jesus was who the Word declared Him to be, but we ended up going to see, nonetheless.  When John wrote about Jesus calling His disciples, he did not use the invitation, "Follow me,"  but "Come and see."  (John 1:39)  This is what drew the likes of Andrew, John, Nicodemus, and maybe even, you and me.