“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A man of the Pharisees would have been respected by the public. He would have worn the uniform and people would have honored him as he walked by or stopped to pray in public.

As ruler of the Jews, people would have come to him for advice. He would sometimes praise and sometimes rebuke those he led when necessary.

I wonder how often Nicodemus just got to be Nick. I wonder how many times he answered “fine” when asked how things were going. Who did he get to really be himself with? I’m so glad we get to read his conversation with Jesus.

Sometimes I’m Pastor Adam. Sometimes I’m math teacher Adam. I’m Adam the husband, Adam the bus driver, Adam the dad, Adam the son, Adam the friend, and even Adam the guy who goes out and plays music occasionally. Each of those roles carries an expectation. They carry differences of how people see you. I wonder sometimes which one is the real one.

Then, I do like Nick did. He went to be alone with Jesus. There, he could ask basic questions that he should have known. There, he could receive instruction and be taught by Jesus.

Lord, help me to always find time to be alone with You. You are the one who loves me, looks out for me, corrects me, and illuminates my path. I don’t want to trust in any of the roles I play on this earth, I simply want to trust You with the time I have left. I love You, Lord! There is and never will be another like You.