Nicodemus: Curiosity and Conviction
Introduction
My friend and ministry field supervisor in seminary, Brad Sargent talked about understanding people with a photo and a video. A photo is a snapshot. It captures a moment in time.
You meet someone and make a “snap judgment” about them, and we can think that we know them. However, we don’t know how today factors in to the trajectory of their life.
Usually, we limit our attention about Nicodemus to this passage. We only take a snapshot. Did you know that the gospel of John follows Nicodemus? Did you know that Nicodemus shows up two more times in this gospel, one of those being at the cross of Jesus?
Since February 11, you have heard me talk about the interplay of faith and doubt. Faith naturally has with it confusion and doubt, which in turn drive us to ask and seek questions.
When we ask our questions and get answers, the new answers sometimes help us and confuse us as well. Nicodemus is living this journey.
What we will see today be looking at this trajectory instead of his snapshot, is that his confusion and curiosity are moving toward conviction. You can be a committed Christian and also be confused about the exactness of your faith.
In the gospel of John, faith is not just what you believe, it is about how you choose to live with what you do know. That’s faith in the gospel of John. Let’s look at Nicodemus and ask for God’s help as we seek to live with curiosity and conviction.
Nicodemus and Jesus Meet
Nicodemus was part of a religious group called the Pharisees who had a headquarters in Jerusalem. There were about 6,000 Pharisees in the time of Jesus. Nicodemus spent a lot of time in Jerusalem.
The passage before this tells us that Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. While in Jerusalem, Jesus worked miracles, which the writer called “signs.” John uses the word “signs,” when Jesus does miracles that show Jesus is the Messiah, the one sent from God.
It seems likely Nicodemus saw these miracles and became a follower of Jesus. His opening sentence to Jesus is, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these things apart from the presence of God.”
Nicodemus is saying, “I see the signs. I know what they mean. I see what they prove. I think you are the Messiah.” This is his confession.
Further, Nicodemus calls Jesus “Rabbi.” I used to think that was a negative thing. I used to think, “If Nicodemus really believed he would call Jesus Lord or Messiah and not teacher or Rabbi.”
However, in the gospel of John the only people who call Jesus, “Rabbi” are those who believe and follow him (Nathanael in 1:49; Nicodemus in 3:2; disciples as a group in 1:38; 3:26; 4:31; 9:2; 11:8; the recently fed crowd in 6:25).
Nicodemus Seeks to Understand
Nicodemus would have been well acquainted with any text Jesus quoted or referenced.
Because he was a religious scholar, Nicodemus had at least memorized all 79,890 words of the Torah. He knows them by heart. Yet he still has question. His newfound faith in Jesus is seeking to understand.
The evening was set aside for studying the Torah. Nicodemus comes to his Rabbi to ask his questions. He wants to be taught by Jesus.
Jesus uses this opportunity to teach Nicodemus. Jesus rocks his world.
1. Jesus Helps Nicodemus Re-think Passover
They are in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.
Nicodemus says, “Jesus, I think you are the Messiah. No one could do the things I’ve seen you do in Jerusalem during this Passover observance unless God were with them.”
Jesus responds, “No one can enter the kingdom of heaven without being born again.”
Nicodemus asks, “Wait. What? I did really well on my SATs. I don’t remember ever hearing about this.”
Jesus responds, “Nicodemus, yes you did!”
Jesus said, “Listen, do you know how Passover is about leaving Egypt? Of course. When Moses was leading our people out of Egypt, the Spirit led us. The Spirit was a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The Spirit guarded us from the Egyptians who wanted to murder us and take us back into slavery. Keep that in one hand: the Spirit.
“And then we got to the Red Sea, and we had to pass through the waters to become a kingdom, a people, a nation set apart for God. Keep that in the other hand: the Water.
“Yes, we Israelites were born by our mothers, but we were born a second time when God led us by the Spirit (one hand), and moved us through the waters, (the other) and led us to become a kingdom.”
“It’s no different now. We still need the Spirit, and we need the water.”
Nicodemus has probably read every book possible. He’s worn out his Kindle. His bookshelves are full and sagging. Yet, he is amazed at this teaching. He asks his Rabbi, “How can this be? I mean, I’ve read the Torah every evening since I was a teenager and this is the first time I’ve heard this.”
2. Jesus Teaches Him About Salvation
Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the Spirit and Water and then Jesus teaches him about salvation.
“Nicodemus, you say I’m the Messiah, who the prophets also call the Son of Man. When our people were in the wilderness and were disobedient. We were hurting one another and being rebellious, a swatch of serpents came about and began attacking us. Everyone who was bitten by the snakes suffered and died and they were not able to enter the land promised to us.”
Nicodemus was a scholar. He knew his material and yet Jesus’ teachings surprised and captivated him.
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God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and to put it on a pole and to raise in in the air. Everyone who looked upon it was saved.
You remember that story?
Nicodemus replied, “Yes. I remember that story. Moses did so and we were saved. The people were not yet in the Promised Land. They were on their way.”
Jesus replied, “Very good. Nicodemus, God loved us so much that he spoke to Moses and gave us that way of salvation so that whosoever looked upon it would not die but enter the kingdom.”
“Just like that, Nicodemus, the Son of Man will also have to be lifted high to bring salvation to the earth. For God so loves the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.”
I wonder what Nicodemus said after that, but he went away hearing that
· God brings guidance and protection from the Spirit,
· Transformation and purification through the water, and
· salvation through “being lifted up.”
How will his faith show up in how he lives?
Nicodemus at the Feast of Tabernacles
The next time Jesus is in Jerusalem is about 6 months later in the Feast of Tabernacles, which is in the fall. In that festival, the priest would fill large bowls of water and pour water on the Temple altar which symbolized the pouring out of the Spirit. The water would rush down and be soaked up by the dry surface.
It was during that time Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink As the Scriptures have said, ‘out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”
Jesus makes the connection for them, “If you are spiritually thirsty, come to me, and if you believe in me, you will drink this water and be satisfied.”
This teaching infuriates some who want to arrest and condemn Jesus right away for blasphemy. This matter reaches the council that Nicodemus is part of. They complain, “Why didn’t we arrest Jesus when we had the chance?!”
Nicodemus speaks up, and says, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?”
The council responds to Nicodemus with scorn by saying, “Surely you are not someone who supports him!”
Nicodemus’ faith shows up here. Curiosity leads to conviction as he advocates for fairness, justice, and equality. Notice, he may or may not believe or fully understand this particular teaching of Jesus. What he does know is the difference between right and wrong and that he wants to be a person of integrity.
I love this example. It’s not easy. He is at odds with some of his colleagues and friends, perhaps not all. He simply holds his group to their own standards.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of George Floyd, who was 46 years old when he was killed by police officers in Minneapolis. The police officers who were involved in his death were found guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers. The officer most responsible for his death is sentenced to decades in prison for his actions.
Think how the situation could have been different if one of those officers had had the Nicodemus-like spirit and held his group to their own standards, “Hey, hold on, here. This is not our standards.”
Being a voice of truth is important. Keeping your integrity is important and difficult.
I think that most of you have been in situations where you had the opportunity to be that person and you didn’t and you later wish you would have said something. And you felt awful.
I also imagine most of you have been in situations where you had the opportunity to be Nicodemus, and you did use your voice and you are happy with yourself.
We show honor to our faith, values, Creator, and to the people around us when we live with integrity.
Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You will need the guidance of the Spirit and the purification of the Spirit, Nicodemus.” And in the John 7 passage, where the Temple priest pour out the water, which symbolizes the pouring out of the Spirit with water, Nicodemus is guided by the Spirit and is set apart in his action.
Nicodemus at the Cross of Jesus Christ with Joseph of Arimathea
The next time we see Nicodemus, the unthinkable happens: Jesus is not only arrested but is crucified by the State after an unfair trial. We now turn to John, chapter 19.
In chapter 19, we are introduced to a new person named Joseph of Arimathea, who is described by John as “a secret believer.” Joseph persuaded Pilate to let him take the body of Jesus off the cross and to give him a proper burial.
Who joins Joseph? Nicodemus. We read: “Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden, there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” JOHN 19:39-42
The man who once came to Jesus at night now comes to Jesus in the middle of the day. Jesus, like the serpent on the staff lifted up by Moses, had been put on a cross and had been lifted high for all to look upon. This was the salvation of God.
Nicodemus and Joseph care for Jesus’ body. The customary weight for burial spices at that time was about 10-20 pounds. Nicodemus brought 100 pounds.
Conclusion
Tell me how much Nicodemus treasured Jesus.
What does this sibling teach us?
1. The importance of Spiritual Seeking: Nicodemus’ journey is from confusion to curiosity to conviction. There’s a difference between accepting the mysteries of our faith and being content with one’s ignorance. Nicodemus sought to understand what he believed.
2. Growth in faith, courage, and integrity: Nicodemus sought to embrace his faith in the way he lived. He was willing to defend Jesus and assist in his burial, which shows he was willing to live out his faith in challenging circumstances.
Today, take a snapshot of yourself and assess where you are in your faith. Now, consider your trajectory using the video. Are you someone who is moving toward Christ and embracing your faith like Nicodemus? Are you stagnant or drifting away?
Take Christ at his word. God will guide you and cleanse you through the Spirit, which cleanses us like water and readies us to follow Christ. Come with your confusion or your curiosity to your great Teacher and Lord.
