Nicodemus: A Man Who Came to Jesus

Nicodemus: A Man Who Came to Jesus Text: John 3:1-12; John 7:45-53; John 19:38-42

Born of Water and the Spirit • In the New Testament water is mentioned in connection with salvation in baptism. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-39; Acts 10:47-48; 1 Peter 3:20-21) • The Spirit’s role in salvation is through the medium of the word. The apostles and prophets wrote down the Spirit’s words of life for us today. (John 16:13)

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • The first time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus by night. (John 3:1-12) Nicodemus

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • Nicodemus came even though he was a Pharisee. • Pharisee: Separated Ones or Separatists. • Josephus: “a body of Jews who professed to be more religious than the rest, and to explain the laws more precisely.” Nicodemus

The Pharisees • Accused Jesus and His disciples of violating the Sabbath. (Matt. 12:1-8; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 14:1-6; John 9:15-16) • Accused Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders. (Matt. 15:2) • Accused Jesus of blasphemy when He forgave sins. (Luke 5:21) • Accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub ruler of the demons. (Matt. 12:22ff.) • Planned to kill Jesus. (John 11:53; Matt. 12:14) Nicodemus

Jesus Condemned the Pharisees • Hypocrisy (Matt. 23:1-4) • Self-righteousness (Luke 18:11; Matt. 23:5-7) • Loyalty to manmade traditions. (Matt. 15:1-9) • Covetousness (Luke 16:14) • Destruction of the souls of men. (Matt. 23:13) Nicodemus

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • Nicodemus came even though he was a Pharisee. • Nicodemus came even though he was a ruler. • John 7:45-53; 1 Cor. 1:26; Nicodemus

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • Nicodemus came even though he was a Pharisee. • Nicodemus came even though he was a ruler. • Nicodemus came to Jesus even though he was a teacher in Israel. • John 3:10; Nicodemus

Nicodemus Sought the Lord • Nicodemus believed that Jesus was a man of God based upon signs Jesus preformed. (John 3:2) • Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus was a teacher from God even though many Pharisees would not. (John 3:2) • Jesus did not chide Nicodemus for his motives. (ref. Luke 11:53-54) • Even though Nicodemus SOUGHT the Lord he is not described as SERVING the Lord. (John 3:11-12) Nicodemus

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • The first time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus by night. (John 3:1-12) • The second time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus’ defense. (John 7:45-53) Nicodemus

Nicodemus Came to Jesus’ Defense Nicodemus was willing to speak openly of Jesus when many where not: The multitudes (John 7:13) The parents of the blind man. (John 9) The rulers (John 12:42-43) • Context: Jesus had been teaching in the temple, and the multitude began to question whether Jesus was the Messiah. (John 7:31) • The chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest Jesus. (John 7:32) • The officers return without Jesus and are ridiculed by the Pharisees. (John 7:46-48) • Nicodemus reminds the counsel that the Law forbids condemning a man before a fair trial. (John 7:51) SYMPATHIZING with Christ is not the same as SERVING Christ. Nicodemus

Nicodemus the Man Who Came to Jesus • The first time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus by night. (John 3:1-12) • The second time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus’ defense. (John 7:45-53) • The third time we read about Nicodemus, he comes to Jesus’ tomb. (John 19:38-42) Nicodemus

Interest In Jesus’ Burial • Friends did not want Jesus’ body desecrated. • The Jews did not want Jesus’ body stolen. • It is important to all posterity that Jesus’ body was properly buried. • Jesus was buried as God foretold. (Isa. 53:9) The benevolent acts of Joseph and Nicodemus are open and could leave them branded as traitors to the Pharisees cause. By taking these actions Nicodemus was SIDING with Jesus. Nicodemus

To Be A Disciple of Christ: • We must SEEK Him. • We must SYMPATHIZE with Him. • We must SIDE with Him.

Nicodemus: A Man Who Came to Jesus