How fortunate we are to live in a choice land where we have religious freedom.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same man came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” (John 3:1-2)

He was curious, but he came by night less he might be seen. How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb? He wants to know.

Jesus tells him, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)  “No man ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (John 3: 13)

In other words except that he, the only begotten of the Father, came in the flesh and ascended up to heaven none of the rest of us could return to our heavenly home.

In the end when the Jews were angry with Jesus, Nicodemus said, “Doth our law judge any man before it hear him and know what he doeth?” After the crucifixion Joseph of Arimathea , being a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews, provided a grave for Jesus. Nicodemus  likewise believing in secret brought a hundred pounds of spices for Christ burial.
On this day after Independence Day I note how fortunate we are to live in a country where we have religious freedom.