Are You Like Nico?

I've been reading through John recently, and for the past few days have sort of camped in John 3.  There's so much here:  Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus, everyone's favorite verse (John 3:16), John the Baptist's views.  But the thing that stuck in my mind is verse ten.

Jesus has been meeting with Nicodemus, and for every concept Jesus tries to get across, Nico has more questions.  Finally, Jesus seems to get exasperated.  "You are Israel's teacher, and do you not understand these things?"  Do you hear the frustration there?

Nico has spent years studying God's word.  Of all people, he should recognize the fulfillment of all of the prophecies, God's true answer to the problem of sin.  And yet, when the answer is literally staring him in the face, he can't seem to get his head around it.  He has the best resources and the best teaching, but can't understand, even when Jesus puts things in the most simple terms.

So I've spent the week wondering if I'm like Nico.  I'm in ministry--in a position to help others understand God's sovereign plan.  I have access to so many study aids and online Bible commentaries and thick books explaining concepts that it would make your head swim.  But do I really get it?  Am I able to take those concepts and translate them into practical Christian life?

The section about Nico ends with verse twenty-one:  "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."  It's my prayer this week that I will live by the truth, and that others will see Christ shining through me, that I won't miss the obvious truth, that I will be able to apply the truth to my actions.