John is unlike any of the other three gospels. He records events that may not be included in Matthew, Mark or Luke. The story of Nicodemus is one such story. We don’t know much about Nicodemus. We don’t know where he was born, who his parents were, how old he was, or if he had a wife or children. Yet what we do know is enough to make a big difference in our lives. He gives us an example to follow as we observe his interaction with Jesus.
NIGHTTIME VISITOR
The first time we see Nicodemus is at night. He comes to Jesus as a nighttime visitor. John 3:1-21 records the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus. We learn the most about Nicodemus’s background here in the first two verses of the chapter.
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him,
“Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher;
for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””
(John 3:1-2 NASB)
Question: What do you learn about Nicodemus from these two verses?
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus had gained some prominence. He was not only a Pharisee but also a ruler of the Jews. There is a difference in the two groups. Not all Pharisees were rulers of the Jews and not all rulers of the Jews were Pharisees.
Pharisees were a sect of Jews that became popular during the period between Malachi and Matthew. We know it as the intertestamental period. They held to strict adherence to the law both oral and written. Much of their influence is still felt in Jewish thought today. They were antagonistic to Jesus throughout His ministry.
He came to Jesus at night for a conversation. He recognized Jesus as a teacher, calling him Rabbi. He included the whole group of Pharisees in his beginning remarks saying, “we know…” Maybe this was a way for him to enter the conversation with less focus on himself.
Question: How do you enter awkward conversations? Do you try to deflect to a larger group, so the attention isn’t on you alone?
The fact that Nicodemus came at night could have much meaning or no meaning. Jesus and Nicodemus were busy men. So, maybe coming at night was a time when both of their schedules would have allowed intimate conversation without interruption. On the other hand, maybe he came at night because he didn’t want to be seen coming to Jesus. He wasn’t ready for his fellow Pharisees and rulers to know he was talking to Jesus at all.
Question: Do you think there was any significance to Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night? Why do you think he came at night?
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is eternally significant. It is through this conversation that we learn,
“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.” (John 3:16 NASB)
Nicodemus did not have a lot of understanding but after verse nine he does not speak again. He comes to Jesus at night and questions and listens. His last question was, “How can these things be?” Haven’t we wondered this before? Haven’t we listened to the mystery of God and wondered “How can these things be?” We do not have all the answers. We are not expected to. God does not give us all the answers. He gives us what we need. He gives us, “for God so loved the world…”, and this is where faith begins, and it is enough.
VOICE OF REASON
The next time we see Nicodemus is in John chapter 7. The context is during the feast of booths. The feast of booths is established in Leviticus chapter 23. It is to be celebrated for seven days following grain and wine harvest.
The people were divided about who Jesus was. Some were convinced he was the Christ. Some thought he was the Prophet. Some believed in Him. Some wanted to arrest Him. The officers report to the Pharisees who wanted to know why they had not brought Jesus with them. They admitted their confusion. “No one has ever talked like this before.” (my paraphrase). So, the Pharisees took the offense and accused them of believing in him also and being led astray.
“We haven’t believed in him, have we?
This crowd they don’t know what they are doing.
They are unlearned and accursed.”
(John 7:48-49 NASB)
It is in this raking over the coals that Nicodemus speaks up. In verse 51 we find his response.
“Our Law does not judge the person
unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?”
Question: Have you ever stood up for something only to be attacked by friends and coworkers and maybe even family for your stance? How did you respond? What was the result of your stance?
Nicodemus is trying to bring some order and justice into the chaos. They needed to hear from Jesus himself. When Nicodemus went to Jesus that night, he listened to Him. He heard what he said. He heard his message. He may not have understood everything, but he heard him. Now he speaks out before this group of his peers based on their own law, and they refuse to listen to him. They turned on him accusing him of being one of His followers. They revealed their limited view of God with verse 52,
“Examine the scriptures and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
Here their box-stuffed God is revealed. Just because a prophet had never come from Galilee didn’t mean God couldn’t call one from Galilee. He had never called one from inside a big fish either, yet we have Jonah. How about from a burning bush? Moses. God chooses where and when he calls his servants, not the expectations of people. He calls teachers, mechanics, bus drivers, firemen, police officers, businessmen and women, postal workers, and truck drivers. He calls people from America, England, Poland, China, Russia, Switzerland, Taiwan, North Korea, Ghana, and Chile. He calls men and women from all walks of life from across the globe. He might even be calling you to spread his gospel.
Question: Is there a work God is calling you to do? Are you unwilling to accept that calling? Why? What is holding you back?
Nicodemus has moved from a nighttime visitor to a daylight voice of reason. He has been attacked for it. Sometimes when we move to do the right thing it might not always go the way we’d hoped. We may have to go through difficult places and have difficult conversations. We may lose relationships and positions we once enjoyed. We have one more look at Nicodemus. Let’s look at this steadfast giver of time and resources.
GIVER OF TIME AND RESOURCES
This last look of Nicodemus takes place in John chapter 19. Jesus has been crucified and Joseph of Arimathea has asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted him this request and so Joseph took Jesus’s body. Here Nicodemus comes in. In both John 7 and John 13 Nicodemus is recognized as the one “who had first come to Him by night.” Here he comes, “bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes.” He and Joseph were preparing the body of Jesus for burial. Nicodemus brought about 100 pounds of the spices to cover His body as they wrapped it in the linen according to their custom. This was an expensive mixture which Nicodemus brought. He was no longer a nighttime visitor. This was a public display of his belief in Jesus. Word would have traveled that Nicodemus had paid such a price for Jesus’s burial preparation. He, and Joseph of Arimathea, could no longer conceal under cover of darkness this deed brought them front and center as disciples of Jesus.
END OF THE STORY
We do not see Nicodemus again in the biblical record. Yet, his impact on believers and non-believers is tremendous. It is through a conversation with Jesus at night we get John 3:16. The verse which has been used to bring countless numbers to faith in Jesus. Nicodemus and Joseph give us an account of the burial of Jesus, which leads us to the tomb on Easter morning.
Where are you in this story? Are you talking to Jesus at night? Wondering how can these things be? Maybe you have moved to being a voice of reason. Have you tried to bring fairness to an unjust situation and been mocked because of it? Or have you opened your heart and resources to the garden tomb? No longer in the shadows, you are out in the open about your faith in Christ and it is precious to you, and you are walking daily with your Savior? It is not too late to begin the journey. Take a step today, won’t you?
Angela
(I would like to hear from you, comment below. Be sure to like and subscribe, so you don’t miss new content when it drops. )
