The next series of articles is from John 3, where we learn about a conversation between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus.
For those that know about Nicodemus’s conversation with Jesus already (and if you don’t, that’s OK, these articles are meant to catch you up), I think that we jump right into John 3, but the context of John 2 may also be significant, where Jesus turned water into wine, and cleared the temple courts. While not all of the Bible is necessarily in chronological order, it would seem that Nicodemus knows who Jesus is, because of what Jesus had done in his ministry so far.
Let’s meet Nicodemus.
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 NIV
So, what do we know about Nicodemus? He’s a Pharisee, a group of Jewish leaders that we know from elsewhere in the Bible. While certain members of this group opposed Jesus, not all of them did. Nicodemus was also a teacher, based on how Jesus addresses him in verse 10. He’s apparently part of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jewish people.
He also visits Jesus at night, which some pastors and teachers suggest was an indication that he was afraid to be seen with Jesus. However, there may be another explanation: a commentator mentioned that, “Most rabbis studied and debated far into the night.” [Bryant & Krause, p. 87, referencing Strack and Billerbeck].
This is just speculation, but I wonder if the apostle John, who wrote this gospel, knew Nicodemus. In the gospels, Nicodemus shows up three times, all in this same gospel:
- He visits Jesus and asks questions here in John 3.
- In John 7, Nicodemus asks a question to some other Pharisees, suggesting that they hear Jesus out before judging Him.
- And, in John 19, Nicodemus accompanies Joseph of Arimathea in taking care of the body of the crucified Christ, including bringing about 75 pounds of spices for the body.
In his opening statement to Jesus, Nicodemus acknowledges that signs accompanying Jesus’ ministry attest to His message. Remember that miracles in the Bible have a purpose. It is clear to Nicodemus that Jesus is from God, but apparently Nicodemus isn’t the only one, since he uses the term “we”, rather than “I”. So, there are others who have come to this same conclusion, perhaps friends of Nicodemus or even other Pharisees.
Before we get further into this conversation, though, let’s consider this: Sometimes, when opinions and conversations get muddied with debate and arguments, it’s important to come back to Jesus Christ: His ministry, His teaching, His miracles, His fulfillment of prophecies, and His identity – these are what our faith should be based upon. And, for those who may not like how specific Christians behave or what they teach, going back to what Jesus actually said and did can help us find common ground.
So, let’s regularly return to Jesus when we talk about our faith, and not muddy the waters with too much about the behavior of people – both past and present – who claim to follow Jesus, nor with human teachings or our own opinions. The more that we tell people about Jesus directly, the better message I think that we’ll have for a lost world, as well as for our own faith.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for December 10, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, December 10, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 