By Night, but at Least He Came--Aug. 8, 2016

Righteous God, you abhor lies and deceitfulness;

we find them convenient--at times necessary.

You abhor blood thirstiness, we thrive

on watching it and hearing of it.

The apostles acted boldly;

we hold them in high esteem

but would not have dared join them.

Out of fear, Nicodemus came to Jesus

only by night (but at least he came).

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

Judg. 12:1-7

Acts 5:12-26

John 3:1-21

           

Selected Verses

Ps. 5:6

You destroy those who speak lies;
          the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.

Judg. 12:1

The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites, and did not call us to go with you?  We will burn your house down over you!"

Acts 5:13

None of the rest [of the people] dared to join [the apostles and those gathered with them], but the people held them in high esteem. 

John 3:1-2

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.  He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."