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Nicodemus Represents Human Wisdom • John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same 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. • 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus – A Man With A Greek Name • The name comes from Greek nikao – winand demos – people • He became the first recorded in-depth interview with Jesus • There was much skepticism among religious leaders of the day • His being known by a Greek name indicates he was educated in Greek culture and philosophy • He must have been an exceptional man to be admitted to the highest court of the Jews, despite his Greek connections.
Jesus Offers Spiritual Wisdom • In his conversation with Jesus, however, it became immediately clear that Nicodemus was out of his element • John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? • Why did he not know or understand? • Human wisdom and spiritual wisdom are never on the same wave length
Jesus Offers Spiritual Wisdom • Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was even talking about • John 3:6-8 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. • 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Jesus Offers Spiritual Wisdom • Spiritual things are not like earthly things • 1 Cor 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. • 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. • 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Jesus Explained It To Him • Even though he explained it clearly to Nicodemus, he appears to have waited to become a disciple till after the death of Jesus • John 19:39-40 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. • 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Pharisees Found It Difficult To Confess The Name Of Jesus • John 7:48-53 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. 50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? • 52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. 53 And every man went unto his own house.
Notice Joseph of Arimathea • He was a follower in secret • Disciples should openly confess him without fear of man or government • Matt 27:57-60 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
John Explains Their Concerns • John 19:38-39 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. • 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Both Now Owned Him Publicly, But.. • It is a wonder that Joseph and Nicodemus, men of such interest, did not appear sooner, and solicit Pilate not to condemn Christ, especially seeing him so loth to do it. Begging his life would have been a nobler piece of service than begging his body. • How far are we willing to go to serve Jesus • Christ would have none of his friends to endeavor to prevent his death when his hour was come.
Both Provided For His Burial • Joseph prepared the place and Nicodemus the spices to prepare the body, and both were important and essential. • But you might ask, why such an ado about his burial and not stand up for him prior. • Could it have been a weakness in faith • Could it be the great value they placed in Jesus’s life and what he stood for and who he was, being the Son of God.
When You Know Him – Accept Him • Luke 8:13-16 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
We Should Never Consider Waiting • Luke 24:25-26 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: • 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? • What would we do had Christ not offered himself for us? • Being lost and without hope would be the worst possible scenario.
We Should Never Look Back With Regret & Shame • Phil 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) • Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
