Lessons From Nicodemus

Nicodemus is a biblical figure mentioned in the Gospel of John, specifically in chapters 3, 7, and 19. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council called the Sanhedrin, and a teacher in Israel. He is famously known for his nighttime conversation with Jesus Christ.

The Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin was a Jewish judicial and religious council that existed during the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It played a significant role in the governance and legal affairs of the Jewish people in ancient Israel. It was composed of religious leaders that included high priests, elders, and scholars responsible for making important decisions related to Jewish law and religious observance. It had both religious and civil authority, overseeing matters of both religious doctrine and civil law within the Jewish community.

The Sanhedrin had a total of 71 members led by the high priest as the chief authority. It held its meetings in a chamber known as the Chamber of Hewn Stone, located within the Temple complex in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin had the power to interpret Jewish law, issue legal judgments, and enforce punishments, including the authority to impose the death penalty in certain cases. It also had the responsibility of maintaining public order and upholding religious traditions.

One of the most notable events associated with the Sanhedrin was its involvement in the trial of Jesus of Nazareth which led to His crucifixion. The Sanhedrin’s authority diminished after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, and it eventually ceased to exist as a formal institution.

Lesson 1

In John 3:1–21, Nicodemus approached Jesus under the cover of darkness to seek spiritual guidance. He acknowledged Jesus’ authority as a teacher from God and expressed his belief in Jesus’ signs and miracles. In response, Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the importance of being spiritually born again to enter the Kingdom of God.

Despite being a prominent member of the Jewish community and a dedicated follower of the Jewish religion, Nicodemus must have felt a spiritual void in his life. It is possible that Nicodemus was seeking something more meaningful or fulfilling in his faith—a complete connection with God.

Many people who seek spirituality find that formal religion does not satisfy their needs. While formal religion provides structure, community, and established belief systems, its practices and rituals feel impersonal and rigid. Describing the Jewish religion of His day, Jesus said: “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” – Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV).

In a world where we are constantly seeking fulfillment, Jesus offers complete satisfaction. He meets our deepest needs and desires in a way that no religious practice can. Instead of temporary happiness, He offers everlasting joy. It is only through a relationship with Him that we can experience true fulfillment and purpose. With Jesus, we lack nothing, and we can find peace in His presence. In John 4:13-14 He says, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (NIV).

Lesson 2

John 7:45–52 recounts a dialogue and discussion that took place among the chief priests, Pharisees, and Nicodemus regarding Jesus. The temple guards, who had been sent to arrest Jesus, returned empty-handed. When questioned by the chief priests and Pharisees as to why they had not brought Jesus, the guards explained, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” This statement by the guards implies that they were captivated by Jesus’ words and were hesitant to arrest Him because of the authority and power they sensed in His teaching. The Pharisees responded with criticism, saying, “You mean He has deceived you also? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee himself and a member of the Sanhedrin, interjected and asked the Pharisees if the law condemned a person before hearing him. This was a subtle defense of Jesus’ right to a fair hearing. The Sanhedrin was destined to make inaccurate judgments about Jesus’ character in the absence of a truthful presentation of the facts.

Today, Christ’s message is facing a significant challenge due to the misrepresentation of its values and teachings by individuals who claim to be Jesus’ followers. Many people equate Christianity with a self-help program, a get-rich-quick system, and a way of evading suffering. Christianity is really about transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus, one is reconciled to God and becomes a righteous person in His sight. This transformation involves a change in attitudes, behaviour, and priorities, not a change in one’s financial and social status as is taught in many churches. Ultimately, the goal of Christianity is to become more like Christ and to live a life that is pleasing to God, not to accumulate earthly goodies.

Many pulpits fail to properly explain the Gospel of Christ. This vital message is often skimmed over or glossed over, leaving believers with a shallow understanding of Christianity. Without a thorough understanding of the Gospel, churchgoers will struggle to fully embrace its life-changing power and be effective in sharing it with others.

Lesson 3

In John 19:38–42, after Jesus’ crucifixion, Nicodemus joined Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial and placing it in a tomb.

Jesus’ death took place during the Passover season, which falls on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, typically in late March or early April. This was an important event in the Jewish calendar that commemorated the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

The synchronization of Jesus’ death with the Passover festival carries significant symbolic meaning. In the Jewish tradition, the Passover lamb was sacrificed as atonement for sins and a symbol of redemption. Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial Lamb of God, whose death and resurrection bring forgiveness and salvation to humanity. The connection between Jesus’ death and the Passover underscores the reality of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God’s redemptive plan. The Old Testament animal sacrifices point to the coming Messiah Who was to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. This sacrifice was fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who willingly gave His life on the cross for the salvation of humanity.

As someone who is well versed in Jewish history and the Scriptures and a keen follower of Jesus’ teachings concerning His death and resurrection, Nicodemus must have recognized the profound implications of Jesus’ death for all of humanity. He understood that through Jesus’ sacrifice, people would find redemption and salvation and that this event would forever alter the course of history. Through His death and resurrection, we can now have eternal life and be reconciled to God.

Conclusion

Nicodemus, the seeker of truth, plays a significant role in the Gospel of John. His encounters with Jesus showcased a journey of faith, personal transformation, and the willingness to live out what he believed to be right. From his initial secretive meeting with Jesus under the cover of night to his defense of Jesus within the religious council and his participation in the burial of Jesus, Nicodemus’s story is one of curiosity, growth, and unwavering commitment.

As the pages of the New Testament close, the specific details of Nicodemus’s later life fade into the background. However, the impact of his encounters with Jesus and his example of seeking truth, embracing transformation, and demonstrating courage continue to resonate. Nicodemus’ legacy challenges and inspires generations to come, urging them to recognize the emptiness of religion and to seek Jesus as the ultimate truth. His story invites us to examine our own lives, encouraging us to cling to Jesus with genuine faith.