“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life.” These words make up perhaps one of the most famous scripture verses of all, but do we understand them in the context which Jesus spoke them? Further, do we truly believe them and, finally, are we willing to live as if we believe them? Jesus spoke these words to a man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to see Jesus “while it was night.” Why? Because he was afraid of the Jews, and especially the other Pharisees. The last thing he wanted to do was to let others know that he had an interest in Jesus and the things that He was saying. And as we listen to what Jesus is saying to Him it becomes rather obvious that Jesus, who is facing death in just a few days, is rather frustrated with him. He says to Nicodemus that certainly, he who is a learned man and a teacher, can see that everything Jesus is saying is correct and true, and if that is the case, why is he slithering around in the dark? Why isn’t he proclaiming the good news of Jesus in the daylight? After all, God sent Jesus so that every one who believes in Him will be saved; not condemned. What is Nicodemus afraid of? If he believed in Jesus, he should not have been afraid of anything. Then Jesus presents him with the ultimate challenge: “…the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” And so what is Nicodemus going to do? Is he going to boldly live and proclaim his faith in the light of day, or is he going to continue to slither around in the dark for fear of everyone else? And, of course we are in a similar position as Nicodemus. Do we believe that Jesus came so that those who believe in Him might have eternal life? If so, are we ready to proclaim and live our belief in Jesus in the light of day, or are we, because of our fear, going to remain in the dark of night?