When Nicodemus learned that Jesus had died, his attention turned to giving an honorable burial to the Messiah. A spirit of persecution still filled the atmosphere, so any public connection to Jesus could spell trouble. Nicodemus therefore faced his third dilemma: should he go to the cross of Calvary or not?

While Nicodemus’ night visit to Jesus followed a lot of deliberation, this dilemma seemed to spring up suddenly. Some of the leading Pharisees (some of whom also served on the Sanhedrin) claimed that none of the Pharisees or Sanhedrin members had believed in Jesus. This public condemnation of believers in Christ created a crisis for Nicodemus. He faced a dilemma much like MBBs do today!

The story of the woman at the well is powerful precisely because it is so ordinary. There is no crowd. No spectacle. No public display. Just a conversation in the middle of an everyday moment. And yet, in that quiet exchange, Jesus reveals something essential: what it looks like to cross barriers with purpose, truth, and love.

Under the Old Covenant, the sacrificial system allowed people to receive atonement (a covering) for their sins. These sacrifices, however, were always temporary solutions to the deeper problem of sin. It was not until Jesus came as the perfect sacrifice for our sins “once for all” (Heb. 7:27) and established a better covenant (Hebrews 8) that people could know their sins were fully and forever paid for.

Explore how Prayer Networks fuel global outreach efforts, especially in Muslim communities. Consider joining the Jumaa Prayer Fellowship and praying for Muslims to come to faith in Jesus.

The word “holiday” is an old English word from the twelfth century that literally means “Holy Day.” The root of the word is traced to the...