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?

Muslims, and especially Muslim religious leaders, can strongly identify with the dilemma faced by Nicodemus. They, too, are parts of religious systems which largely reject Jesus as being Lord and Savior. Receiving Jesus as Lord triggers apostasy status in Islam and typically a lot of persecution as well.

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.

The Bible depicts the human experience for what it is. But it doesn’t stop there. Indeed, the universal problem of sin requires more than a guide. We need an inner transformation of our hearts. We need a Savior!