Persuaded: The Story of Nicodemus

By David Harder

Description:

Escaped narrowly after the fall of Jerusalem . . .
Pursued relentlessly by the Sanhedrin . . .
Entrusted covertly with a mission more significant than he had imagined . . .
From the prison colony on Patmos, the Apostle John entrusts Nicodemus
with manuscripts for the Christian fellowships increasing throughout
the Roman Empire. While transcribing the manuscript, Nicodemus is
prompted to recall his former life and his encounter with Yeshua - a
man of mystery, a healer, a teacher, and a prophet. An encounter that
changed everything.
Under the cover of darkness, risking his reputation and endangering
his life even further, it is here that Nicodemus realizes the world-changing
power of the Good News . . . and what being a follower of
Yeshua truly means.

Book Takeaway:

Like Jonah, God never gives up on us but pursues us. Along the journey, we learn and grow; eventually comprehending God’s love is greater than our failures.

Why the author wrote this book:

Being an avid reader of the Bible, one discovers some characters are mentioned briefly but have important roles to play. Which begs the question; who were these people and why are they mentioned at all? The idea of capturing the imagination and transporting the reader into another era, while expanding the practicality of the Bible, has always been fascinating. If a fictional story will cause someone to investigate the truths found in the Bible, is not Jesus’ great commission being fulfilled through the story?

The transformation of Nicodemus is glimpsed through three brief stories within the gospel of John. Even though Nicodemus is a member of the powerful, religious, political party, he experiences life-changing events that over time take a skeptic and turn him into a believer. From a studious scholar, Nicodemus slowly morphs into an enthusiastic follower of Jesus, yearning to spread the “Good News.”

Faith, at any age, is an arduous path. When education and years of religious training shape the mind, it is a challenge to overcome the history. Nicodemus’ goal is to correct the mistakes of the Sanhedrin, but protect his life at the same time. Despite a person’s age, God is always willing to use individuals to spread the gospel. Even though Nicodemus is afraid, he still finds the courage to conquer his fears and be useful for his Savior.