6 Men Who Learned Life-Changing Lessons from Jesus
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Some of us have had encounters with people that almost mark our life as before/after. That’s certainly true for those who have encountered Jesus, too.
In the Bible there are, of course, the disciples who spent a ton of time with Jesus. They witnessed many private moments. But the gospels also spotlight a few deeply personal encounters that Jesus had with people outside His inner circle. These were conversations that changed everything for them.
Let’s look at six of those encounters today.
1. Nicodemus – You Must Begin Again
John 3; John 7; John 19
Nicodemus is such an interesting story to track. He doesn’t just have one encounter with Jesus; it seems that he had multiple encounters.
Nicodemus had quite a bit going for him, religiously speaking. He was a Pharisee and had a seat on the Sanhedrin. His reputation was a teacher of Israel. Yet he was unsettled by Jesus. There was something about this man from Nazareth that Nicodemus just couldn’t shake. So, he came by night, possibly to avoid being seen, and began a conversation with Jesus.
Jesus didn’t waste time. He didn’t respond to Nicodemus’ flattery, as if they were just two guys interested in religion. He told Nicodemus something that absolutely shattered his religious categories:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Nicodemus was confused. How could someone be “born again”? What does he even mean by this? According to Nicodemus’ worldview, he likely would have thought he was doing quite well in his relationship with God. He was devout, he was teaching others, he was a spiritual authority. And yet Jesus told him that he had to be born again to see the kingdom of God. Spiritual life isn’t earned, inherited, or achieved. It can only be received through this new birth.
Nicodemus, likely scratching his head, faded into the background for awhile after that conversation. But he shows up again in John 7, defending Jesus among his peers. And later we see Nicodemus bringing spices to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. It’s quite likely that he became a disciple — that he was born again.
Nicodemus learned a valuable lesson from Jesus; namely, that religious knowledge can’t replace spiritual rebirth. Jesus’ words changed how Nicodemus viewed himself and his standing with God. There is a lesson in this for us as well. Don’t be afraid of humble inquiry. That can often lead to slow, but real, transformation.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Martin Barraud
2. The Rich Young Ruler – You Can Be Close and Still Walk Away
Mark 10:17–27
The rich young ruler was a promising potential convert. He came differently than Nicodemus. He wasn’t coming at night, and he wasn’t coming with any flattery. This guy came running. He knelt before Jesus. He had a hint of desperation and deep sincerity. He asked the most important question anyone could ask: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This wasn’t one of those traps. He’s not trying to trick Jesus into some answer. This is a guy that has legit question and is wanting an answer to his deepest question. Jesus responded to his inquiry by reviewing the commandments. The young man, rather shortsightedly, responded, “All these I have kept from my youth.”
Jesus looked at him with love and compassion. And that love compelled Jesus to be brutally honest with him. Jesus told him the hard thing: “You lack one thing. Go, sell all that you have… and follow me.”
It’s not that this is the formula for going to heaven — as if everyone just has to sell their stuff and follow the path of Jesus. No, Jesus’ words to Nicodemus are just as valid here. But the issue here is the hangup that this guy had with money. Jesus had touched upon his idol.
The man’s face fell. He walked away sorrowful, because he had great possessions. He came to Jesus seeking eternal life but walked away because he couldn’t let go of his temporary security. We don’t know if the rich young ruler learned the deepest lesson on that day, but we do know that he understood what Jesus was asking. Jesus is asking for our heart’s allegiance. You can’t hold onto both God and money (or any other idol for that matter).
There’s a lesson here for us today too. You can be close to Jesus – even loved by Him – and still walk away if you won't let go of what owns your heart. (I’m not trying to make a comment on whether or not someone can lose their salvation here — that’s not the point of the text, and it’s not mine here either).
Photo credit: Unsplash/Brock Wegner
3. The Thief on the Cross – It’s Never Too Late
Luke 23:39–43
This likely wasn’t an encounter that this man wanted to sign up for. Who wants to have a “life-changing” encounter on your deathbed? But might we say that his was an eternity-shaping encounter?
Jesus was crucified next to two criminals. This man was likely hung up there for violent acts, probably robbing other people. He had not time left on his clock. Nothing to offer like that rich young ruler. No ability to encounter Jesus in the cool of night, only in agony on a cruel cross.
One thief joined the crowd in mocking Jesus. But the other thief rebuked him. And then, in a moment of raw desperation and surprising faith, he turned to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
There was something in Jesus that drew him. He could see that He was innocent. That there was more to Him than the labored breathing and the nails piercing through His hands and feet. And Jesus, breathing His last, offered a stunning promise to the man. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
What he learned that day was that Jesus was more than just a religious leader killed by His own people. He learned that He was the very One who could grant eternity. He found that salvation was just through trusting in Jesus. And we can learn a similar lesson today. Nobody is too far gone. Even in your final breath, Jesus saves those who call out to Him.
That’s not an invitation to wait for a death bed confession. That’s foolishness. But it is a reminder that God’s grace chases us down even to the end.
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4. The Gerasene Demoniac – No One Is Too Far Gone
Mark 5:1–20
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I don’t know why it resonates so much, maybe that I’ve had seasons of dark depression. There is something in that Gerasene demoniac that I can identify with, I guess. But it’s those words at the end that really get me — that he was sitting there in his right mind.
And I love how Mark tells this story. It’s sandwiched together with the story about Jesus crossing the stormy sea. It’s wild and untamed. The disciples think they are going to die and Jesus quiets the storm with a word. And as soon as they make landfall, we see another storm — a man possessed by demons, living in the tombs, screaming night and day, and breaking chains that others tried to bind him with.
Everyone had given up on him. Society had exiled him. He was miserable and trying to harm himself. The chaotic sea was residing in this man’s heart. And then Jesus spoke a word and the demons left. Suddenly peace came over him. When the townspeople arrived, they found the once-possessed man “clothed and in his right mind.”
Something else amazing happens here too. When the man begged to follow Jesus, Jesus said no. Instead, He told him: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19).
Jesus not only healed him, He gave him a mission. The first missionary to the Gentiles was a former madman from the tombs. But what’s also really cool about this is that Jesus doesn’t really hang out here. They crossed that chaotic storm, did all of that for this one guy.
This man learned that Jesus is able to calm any storm. He is sovereign over darkness and He delivers people. The same thing is true today. And just like with this demon possessed man, sometimes the most broken people become the boldest messengers.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez
5. Zacchaeus – Grace Disrupts Greed
Luke 19:1–10
Nobody liked Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector. That means he was a sell-out. And a successful one at that. While you might have a propensity to hate the rich, it becomes a little more difficult when they are kind and giving. But if they are rich and corrupt, they are easy to despise. Zacchaeus was both.
When Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse. Jesus saw him in the tree, perhaps noticing his curiosity and said: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5). It’s okay if you’re singing the song now.
Jesus invited Himself to the home of the city’s most notorious sinner. Who does that? It changed that rotten tax collector. It’s like the story of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Grace changes a person. Zacchaeus stood up and said, “Half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I’ve defrauded anyone, I restore it fourfold.” Jesus responded, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
The “wee little man” learned that day that Jesus doesn’t wait for you to get your act together. He can call you into belonging even before you’ve given away all your goods. It’s grace that goes before us. It’s grace that brings about that kind of response — not the other way around. One encounter with grace can completely change the direction of your life.
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6. Pilate – Proximity to Jesus Isn’t Enough
The other people listed here aren’t really known. Some of them unnamed. But Pontius Pilate was known to the secular world. And he had a front-row seat to the most important moment in human history. He was the one who interrogated Jesus.
Pilate didn’t want to be there that day. He thought the whole proceedings were ridiculous and found no guilt in Jesus. He even tried to release Him. But the pressure from the crowd, the potential political fallout, caused him to fold. He wasn’t going to stick his neck out for this Galilean.
To his credit, he didn’t dismiss Jesus from a distance. He had a conversation with Him. He asked, “What is truth?” — but didn’t wait for an answer. He washed his hands, but he couldn’t wash his conscience. (Many think Pilate was forever dogged by this moment). In the end, he handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Did he really learn from Jesus?
I think so. He learned that indecision was still a decision. By not putting his lot in with Jesus, he was responsible for his death. We don’t know how much that plagued him. But the text of Scripture leads us to believe that Pilate knew he messed up, and that neutrality – saving his own skin – wasn’t the path of truth or life.
The lessons that these men learned are still lessons for us to learn today.
- Religion can’t replace rebirth.
- Idols aren’t worth it.
- It’s never too late for grace.
- Even the most tormented can be set free.
- Being seen by Jesus changes everything.
- Neutrality won’t save you.
Which one of these stories do you most identify with? Which of these lessons do you need to hear today?
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