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In the Middle of the Night
Almost every sermon I’ve ever heard about Nicodemus portrays him as fearful — so worried about what his fellow Pharisees might think that he crept out under the cover of darkness to meet Jesus. Whether fear or cowardice or caution motivated Nicodemus to meet Jesus after dark, Scripture shows that nighttime often has been the setting for profound encounters with God.
When God promised Abraham descendants as countless as the stars in the sky, He instructed Abraham to prepare a sacrifice to seal the covenant. Abraham obeyed, bringing the required livestock and arranging them in the prescribed manner. After sunset, Abraham fell into a deep sleep. God then appeared as a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch and sealed his covenant with Abraham. That promise, ratified in the dark, has been gloriously fulfilled in Jesus.
Jacob encountered God in the dark twice — first in a dream at the foot of a heavenly ladder, and later by a riverbank where he wrestled a mysterious figure throughout the night. Morning light put an end to the second encounter, but before the man left, he gave Jacob a new name, a blessing, and a permanent limp — a reminder to him (and us) that God’s redeeming work may leave a mark.
Joseph’s nighttime dreams stirred resentment among his brothers, but later his gift for interpreting dreams brought him before Pharaoh. Those revelations gained him release from prison and elevated him to a position of power and influence. Joseph was well-equipped, having learned to recognize God’s presence in the dark.
Israel’s exodus from Egypt happened at night. God parted the Red Sea at night. Manna fell from the sky in the wilderness at night. The list continues.
So then, was Nicodemus cowardly for going to Jesus after dark? I don’t know. But I do know this: Jesus didn’t flinch and He didn’t shame Nicodemus. That should give us comfort — to know that we can come to Him in the middle of the night with all our questions. Some of God’s most transformative work has unfolded in the dark. Hence, when darkness comes, don’t be afraid. God will meet you there.
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