Nicodemus
God specializes in finding and changing people we consider out of reach. It took a while for Nicodemus to come out of the dark, but God was patient with this "undercover" believer.

Afraid of being discovered, Nicodemus made an appointment to see Jesus at night. Daylight conversations between Pharisees and Jesus tended to be antagonistic, but Nicodemus really wanted to learn. He probably got a lot more than he expected—a challenge to a new life! We know very little about Nicodemus, but we know that he left that evening’s encounter a changed man. He came away with a whole new understanding of both God and himself.

Nicodemus next appears as part of the Jewish high council (7:50). As the group discussed ways to eliminate Jesus, Nicodemus raised the question of justice. Although his objection was overruled, he had spoken up. He had begun to change.

Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial (19:39). Realizing what he was risking, Nicodemus was making a bold move. He was continuing to grow.

God looks for steady growth, not instant perfection. How well does your present level of spiritual growth match up with how long you have known Jesus?

1- Strengths and accomplishments

- One of the few religious leaders who believed in Jesus
- A member of the powerful Jewish high council
- A Pharisee who was attracted by Jesus’ character and miracles
- Joined with Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus

2- Weakness and mistake

- Limited by his fear of being publicly exposed as Jesus’ follower

3- Lessons from his life

- Unless we are born again, we can never be part of the Kingdom of God
- God is able to change those we might consider unreachable
- God is patient, but persistent
- If we are available, God can use us

4- Vital statistics

- Where: Jerusalem
- Occupation: Religious leader
- Contemporaries: Jesus, Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea

5- Key verse

"‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’" (John 3:4).

Nicodemus’s story is told in John 3:1–21; 7:50–52; and 19:39, 40.

 

Nicodemus

1. One of the Pharisees and a teacher in Israel. He came to the Lord by night for instruction, and was greatly astonished to find that, instead of instruction, he needed to be born again. To this the Lord added that the Son of man must be lifted up: sin must be condemned, and the Son of God be given in love, in order that whosoever believeth in Him should have everlasting life: that is, heavenly blessings in new creation. Nicodemus afterwards grew bolder, and suggested in the council that the Lord ought to be heard, and His acts examined before He was condemned. The last we read of Nicodemus is that after the crucifixion he brought about a hundred pounds’ weight of myrrh and aloes to embalm the Lord’s body. #Joh 3:1-9 7:50 19:39. This last act was a tacit acknowledgment of his attachment to the One to whom he had come for instruction, but who had spoken to him of God’s love, and of heavenly blessings through the Son of man lifted up, and whom he had attempted to defend in the council.

2. The people is victor, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He is first noticed as visiting Jesus by night #Joh 3:1-21 for the purpose of learning more of his doctrines, which our Lord then unfolded to him, giving prominence to the necessity of being "born again." He is next met with in the Sanhedrin #Joh 7:50-52 where he protested against the course they were taking in plotting against Christ. Once more he is mentioned as taking part in the preparation for the anointing and burial of the body of Christ #Joh 19:39 We hear nothing more of him. There can be little doubt that he became a true disciple.