Like Nicodemus, do we wonder if there is more to Jesus than simply a religious observance?

We are halfway to Easter on our Lenten journey of Faith. The Gospel of John records Nicodemus coming to Jesus during the night. Maybe Nicodemus recognized Jesus was more than a mortal man. We know the rest of the story. Nicodemus was searching for answers. Maybe he knew it was humanly impossible to keep the law of God.

Nicodemus knew about the miracles Jesus performed. Maybe he had a nagging feeling that there was more to know. The colleagues Nicodemus had already pre-judged and dismissed Jesus as the Messiah. Therefore he came at night to get to know the real Jesus. The answer is the famous Gospel in one verse John 3:16.

How is our Lenten journey? Some struggle with Lenten and others just go along as if nothing is very special. Like Nicodemus, can we have the nagging feeling that there is more to Jesus than simply a religious observance? Jesus offers us a promise and a way. Our choice is to believe that Jesus is who he says he is or not. If we believe John 3:16 then we have hope and a way of life. The Apostle Paul said that hope will not disappoint us.

Later in the Gospel of John Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Faith in Jesus is more than agreeing the Easter story is true. Faith in Jesus is a way of life that provides meaning and purpose. We do not need to work hard to get God to like us. God loves us. In faith alone, we have purpose and meaning. We become part of what God is blessing through the Holy Spirit does in us by faith alone.

Clayton Coffey is the reverend at Koinonia Team Ministry of the United Methodist Church

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: In Jesus, we have hope and a way of life