I Want to be a "Nicodemus"
Text:
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night … John 3:1-2a NIV
Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin Court, a ruler among the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day. But he was so much more!
Let's start by looking at his name. The Strong's Concordance gives the following definitions for Nicodemus:
1. Victorious among his people
2. Conqueror of the people
3. Conqueror
Now I know that he didn't start off his relationship with Jesus as a conqueror; but he later showed his valiant character to the leaders of the temple, the Jewish community and Jesus' disciples.
Let's look at what the Bible tells us about Nicodemus:
· John 3:1 – He was a teacher of the faith.
· John 3:2-21 – He questions Jesus' teachings. (vs 2-3) 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 3:4-5 – He is teachable. "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" 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 7 – He stood up for Jesus with the rulers of the temple. (vs 49-51) 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 19:38-40 – He honored the Lord at His death. Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 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.
I believe that after his initial visit to Jesus, Nicodemus believed what He taught. Why else would he defend the Lord to the others of the Sanhedrin? And why would he go with Joseph of Arimathea and the others to anoint the Lord's body for burial. This was usually left to one's family members or their servants ….
If Nicodemus had become a believer in Christ, then he was also a servant of the Lord.
Let's go back and look at Nicodemus' actions in the light of his name:
In times past, parents would name their children after honored family members or name them for some pronouncement they wished upon the child's life. Nicodemus was named Victorious Among His People / Conqueror of The People.
As a leader of the Jewish community and religion he seems victorious in his position, and yet he was searching.
When he came to Jesus by night, he seems to be walking in defiance of the "religious right." But he was seeking the Messiah prophesied so long ago.
He was questioning Jesus out of a searching heart, not because the Lord was preaching ideas foreign to the established religion.
He was seeking the fulfillment of the life of faith he had long lived. He found it in Jesus.
He defended the Lord in the temple courts, in opposition of others in his position. He knew Jesus was who He claimed to be.
He conquered those who opposed Jesus by coming out of the darkness and honoring Him at His death – in full view of ALL. He was no longer hiding his belief or his acts of service.
Be a Nicodemus!
· Be a seeker of truth. John 8:31-32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
· Have a teachable heart/spirit. Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
· Conquer your fears and walk out of the darkness. Romans 8:37-39: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
· Defend the faith. 1 Peter 3:15-16: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
· Honor the Lord in all things. Psalm 31:2-3: I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I want to be a Nicodemus, don't you?
Sincerely,
Aleita J. 'Leigh' Morton
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