Nicodemus Who Came to Jesus to Discuss Spiritual Matters
Do you know for Jesus, Nicodemus had lost his value and richness?
When Nicodemus supported Christ, the Jewish leaders realized that Nicodemus had been converted to Christianity. So they removed him from his important position. He suffered the disgrace of losing his position because of his support for Christ.
Introduction
Nicodemus was the leader of the Jews. He had a great desire to understand religion. Despite being a Jew, he had respect and love for Jesus in his heart. He believed that Jesus was a special servant of God. Nicodemus did not understand a concept. To understand this, he came to Jesus, but surprisingly, he came to Jesus at night instead of day. This is a matter of considerable discussion and people have built a lot of arguments on it. Why did Nicodemus come to see Jesus at night? He could come to see Jesus in the morning. However, he came to receive teachings from Jesus because he was interested in education. After this meeting, his life took a new turn.
Verse
“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:1-2)
Verse
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
Visit of Nicodemus to Jesus
Nicodemus came to meet Jesus at night because he was a Jewish leader and it was not appropriate for the Jewish leaders to meet openly with a person who brings the message of Christianity to the people. Jesus was causing problems to the Jewish leaders because according to them, Jesus was leading the Jews astray. Therefore, Nicodemus thought of meeting Jesus at night. If he had come in the morning, his reputation might have been damaged. Nicodemus was a very busy man. He had to do other work during the day, so he chose the night time. When he was talking to Jesus, he did not understand one thing. Jesus said that we have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand this because he was thinking related to worldly life.
Verse
“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:1-2)
Verse
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
A Concept that Nicodemus Can’t Understand
According to Jesus, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Born again was meant in a spiritual way. When he has purified his soul and submitted his spiritual life to God, then he can enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand this because he was thinking about worldly life instead of spiritual life. He said how man would be reborn to enter the kingdom of God. If a person is very old, how can he be born again? This greatly troubled Nicodemus, he did not understand. Later he explained to him that you are thinking in worldly terms while I am talking in a spiritual sense. That in a spiritual sense, a person has to change himself and be born again, then he can join the kingdom of God.
Verse
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
Verse
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Nicodemus Action For Jesus Defense
The Jewish leaders conspired to arrest Jesus. Nicodemus stood up in Jesus’ defense and said that our religion does not command to arrest an innocent person. First investigation should be done, he should be proved guilty then he can be arrested. This defense of Nicodemus shows that he had love and respect for Jesus in his heart. Because of which he spoke in favor of Jesus without caring about his reputation.
Verse
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (John 7:50-51)
Verse
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (John 7:52)
Role of Nicodemus
Jesus is the prophet of God and Christianity is a true religion, Nicodemus practically confirmed this when Jesus died. At first, Nicodemus used to meet Jesus secretly to talk about religion. Because of his reputation, he never met Jesus publicly. But when Jesus died, he made it clear that he believed in Jesus and converted to Christianity. He brought a shroud for Jesus and wrapped Jesus in this shroud and buried him. This action of Nicodemus proved that he had become a disciple of Jesus. After putting fragrance on Jesus’ shroud, Nicodemus buried him with the help of Joseph.
Verse
“He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40)
Verse
“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” (John 19:41)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Nicodemus was a person who always supported the truth and the search for truth led him to the right path. The miracles of Jesus had impressed him so much that he was forced to think that Jesus is a special servant of God. Therefore, he believed in Jesus. There was a meeting with Jesus in which the life of Nicodemus changed. Nicodemus, being a Jewish leader, could not tell anyone about his faith, but when Jesus died, he openly expressed his beliefs. The life of Nicodemus is an example for us that if the heart is pure and true than the person can definitely reach the destination.
Verse
“Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:40)
