While on vacation last month we visited a Church of Christ where the minister preached a lesson on the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus and their conversation recorded in John 3.

The lesson started by describing Nicodemus as a “religious rock star”, considering his pedigree as a Pharisee, his status as a member of the Sanhedrin, and his title of “Teacher of Israel”. But the minister proceeded to point out the multiple times that Jesus had to explain to Nicodemus his teaching.

The point was that no matter how intelligent and well educated you are, you must come to Jesus with an open mind and an open heart so that He can teach you the truth.

The minister concluded the lesson by expressing that as Christians we need to move from the “traditions” of church or of just being “part of a religion”, but instead to a meaningful and purposeful relationship with Christ, “so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life”. (John 3:15 NLT)