Nicodemus Comes to the Light (3)—His Conscience - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
John 3:19–21 NKJV

Nicodemus Comes to the Light (3)—His Conscience
The story of Nicodemus occurs three times in John’s Gospel, and on each occasion it is stated that he was the one who came to Jesus “by night” (3:2; 7:50; 19:39). The theme of light and darkness, or the night, is a thread which runs throughout the Gospel of John (1:9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:4–5; 11:10; 13:3). The Lord Jesus is seen as the Light which came into the world (1:9). Indeed, He is revealed to be the “Light of the world” (8:12).

All of this is significant in connection with today’s text. The above verse is part of a conversation between the Lord Jesus and Nicodemus. It is the longest recorded conversation Christ had with any individual in the Gospels. The conversation between the Lord and Nicodemus concludes with the verse of today’s meditation.

The discussion about light and darkness was directed to Nicodemus himself. The Lord told him that men loved darkness rather than light. This statement was referring to his Pharisaical colleagues. They would not come to the light, “because their deeds were evil.” Nicodemus of all people understood; he knew what they were like—their hypocritical ways. However, he who does the truth “comes to the light.” That is what Nicodemus had done: he had come “by night” to Him who is the Light, and the light searches the conscience. As Nicodemus returned home, he had much to think and pray about. How searching was God’s Word—and still is for us today!

-- Brian Reynolds