So close and yet so far

Is it a spiritual fact that there's a difference between being a teacher, a master of Israel, as Nicodemas was in John chapter 3, and being born again, born of the Spirit? John 3:3-6

How can these things be? Nicodemas asked Jesus. John 3:9

You are a master of Israel and you don't know these things? Jesus replied. John 3:10

Nicodemas was so close and yet so far at that moment.

He didn't understand the need for the new birth: to be born again. John 3:7

Nicodemas was privileged to be the one to hear from the Savior's mouth, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:16-17

Nicodemas heard all of this, alone with Jesus at night. John 3:1-3

Although he was close, Nicodemas was still so far.

Later in John's gospel, Nicodemas seems to defend Jesus by saying, "Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?" John 7:51

At this, his fellow religious leaders mocked him, "You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee." John 7:52

Nicodemas was getting closer but was still so far.

Again later in John's writing after Jesus was crucified, Nicodemas was with Joseph of Arimathaea to prepare spices and then wrap the body of Jesus as the manner of the Jews was to bury someone. And they buried Him. John 19:38-42

Nicodemas was moving in toward the door, wasn't he? John 10:7

Another person answered wisely about the first commandment. Mark 12:28-33

Jesus responded, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." Mark 12:34

That one wasn't far from it but they weren't in the kingdom of God yet, were they?

What we don't want to have on this planet in our generation is so many people, billions, who are not even close to the kingdom of God.

Is the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of the world? Luke 2:10-11; John 4:41-42; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 4:14 But they don't believe this.

Then there are many who have heard the gospel.

However, they haven't had the experience of this being more than only an intellectual understanding of Who Jesus is and Who He wants to be to them personally.

They haven't had a spiritual heart connection with the Lord so that they've been born again and are new creations. John 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17

They are so close and yet so far.

We shouldn't want this.

We could want some things --

That we pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send laborers into His field. Matthew 9:37-38

That we pray, Lord send me. Isaiah 6:8

That the Holy Spirit will be a witness and convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. John 15:26; John 16:8

That the Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus. John 16:14

That we also will bear witness of Jesus. John 15:27; Acts 1:8; Acts 26:22-23

That this gospel of the kingdom of God will be published in all the world as a witness to all nations. Matthew 24:14

That all that are afar off or not too far off, will be brought near and into the kingdom by faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ shed for them. Luke 22:20; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 2:13

He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own and His own people did not accept Him. But all who received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. John 1:10-13

Your thoughts?

R. Jason