Video of the Day: Clip from the 1985 movie “Better Off Dead”
Bible Verse of the Day:
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit,” John 3:1-8.
Biblical Connection:
I was a sophomore in high school in 1985 when Better Off Dead appeared in theaters. I related to Lane Meyer who became suicidal after being dumped by his girlfriend. I become a loner in Junior High and actually thought about planning my own death. Yet, when I was at my lowest point following a nervous breakdown, I was introduced to entering a personal relationship with Jesus.
Although Nicodemus wasn’t suicidal like Lane Meyer, there was an emptiness, a void in his life. Nicodemus went to Jesus at night, afraid of what his fellow Pharisees might think of him. While initially sarcastic with Jesus in today’s passage, Nicodemus shuts up and begins to ponder the words of Jesus. At some point, Nicodemus enters into a relationship with Jesus based upon updates provided in John 7:50 and John 19:39.
Closing Song:
In this month of suicide awareness, the film Better Off Dead is now used in high school to talk about this sensitive issue. When individuals begin to turn their attention away from self-pity and toward Jesus, the abundant life is attainable, John 10:10.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 