The Nicodemus Project is about people with open minds who are searching for the truth.

It's named after Nicodemus, the intellectual leader who arranged a secret meeting in the dark of night in order to avoid prying eyes.

Nicodemus was a member of an exclusive Jewish leadership group, the Sanhedrin. There wre 70 members, and as a group, they were not accepting of the new teacher in town who claimed to be the Son of God. That's why Nicodemus thought it best to meet with Jesus on the sly.

Are you like that, too? Concerned about what others might think of you?

Everyone knew Jesus was a teacher, But He was doing amazing miracles like healing the sick and giving sight to the blind. Nicodemus was curious about that.

A Secret Conversation

Nicodemus said to Jesus, "Teacher, we know you are from God, because no one could perform these miracles if God were not with him."

Jesus, who knew what Nicodemus was after, said, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

What did Jesus mean? What kind of riddle was that?

Do you feel like life is a riddle?

Nicodemus was astonished and confused.

He wanted to know how to enter the kingdom of God...

... and yet, Jesus didn't say anything to Nicodemus about being a good citizen.

... He didn't say anything about treating others kindly and giving to charity.

... He didn't say anything about working for good karma.

... He didn't saything about good intentions to the universe.

How interesting.

That's what this Nicodemus Project is about. Can we be like Nicodemus and figure out the mystery? How can we be assured we will enter God's kingdom at the end of life?

The Prophecy

Jesus then prophesied to Nicodemus about the future.

Jesus foretold that He would be lifted up on a cross. He would pay the penalty for sin with His own life. And then anyone who believed on Him, who accepted that He was the Son of God and the Savior of the world, who asked Him to be their Savior as well, would be forgiven of all their sins, and therefore, be able to enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus explained, "You understand physical birth. I am talkabout a spiritual birth. You must be born again, you must experience spiritual re-birth."

Jesus said, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

Do you disagree? Many people do. They have all kinds of objections like, what about the people who never hear about Jesus? What about the baby who dies one day old? Why are there wars? Why is there poverty and suffering? Why did my best friend have to die so young? And others...

These are all fascinating questions. Valid questions. But they are not a good excuse to sidestep what Jesus said: "You must be born again."

Our first order of business is to take care of our own spiritual condition -- just as it was for Nicodemus. Once we get our own spiritual lives on track, once we have experienced the spiritual rebirth Jesus talked about, then we can explore many interesting questions. (You can read about them on the FAQ page later.)

Some people love stumbling blocks and aren't really interested in finding the truth. That's what Jesus said here...

"... the light (truth) has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed."

We can all relate to that, at least a little, right? We have all done things we're not proud of and we'd rather not have those things ever be seen in the light of day. How awful would it be if all our wrongdoings and sins were put on a banner and displayed to the whole world? No wonder human nature wants to hide in darkness.

Fortunately, that was not the last of what Jesus said.

Jesus went on to say, "But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God."

What do you think of Nicodemus's quest?

What do you think of Jesus' answer?