Nicodemus, a Chief Ruler John 3:1–17

Gospel of John Nicodemus, a Chief Ruler John 3:1–17

by Charles B. Hodge Jr.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, He did resort to flattery which was popular named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, with Pharisees. They did love the “chief seats.” "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God They were the first to use “Carnegie” at church. as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that Yet he had done his homework. He knew about You do unless God is with him" (John 3:1, 2) Jesus and could not deny what he had learned. He came “early on” in the ministry of Jesus. There is no conversation in the Bible more What a catch! What a temptation Jesus had to familiar than Jesus’ conversation with Nicode- sign him up! The first seven apostles were com- mus. Even the man on the street knows about mon fishermen. The movement had no rabbi, Nicodemus. Some religionists use this discus- banker, or politician. Nicodemus could have been sion with Nicodemus to get out of baptism; oth- an apostle! What potential! Remember, though, ers use it to emphasize baptism (3:3, 5). As with what Bear Bryant said, “Potential has never won all Scripture, openness and honesty must cap- a football game.” ture us. Nicodemus also shatters the notion many have of preaching to man one time then going to I. NICODEMUS another. Few men obey the gospel the first time. Facts, facts, facts. Nicodemus was a Jew and It took three years for Nicodemus. In long tenure also a Pharisee (one of six thousand). He was a I learned to let people obey under their own member of the Sanhedrin (one of seventy). In time. Those “picked green” were usually lost. 3:10 Jesus titled him “The” teacher in Israel (one Seed germinates under its own time table! of one). This usually is missed. Nicodemus was in a scholarship list like Gamaliel. We usually consider him weak and mediocre. He was the II. THE NEW BIRTH most important religionist in the life of Christ. Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, He was rich, popular, and powerful. He was in I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot “Who’s Who.” see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to This fact can never be denied: He did seek Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s out and come to Jesus! Can you imagine the pope womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, visiting a gospel service? “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of We make much in a negative way with his water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh “night visit.” This could be wisdom. Why should is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is he jeopardize everything over nothing? Discre- spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You tion may be the greatest part of valor. must be born again.’ The wind blows where it He came! Do not forget his coming! He came wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is quietly and politely! This beats an “anonymous going; so is every one who is born of the Spirit” letter” or “being grabbed in the foyer.” (3:3–8). 1 Jesus was abrupt with Nicodemus. There it years later. was no politeness, no small talk. Jesus went for Nicodemus represents the exact purpose of the jugular. Jesus repeated three times, “You the Gospel of John (20:30, 31). Nicodemus admit- must be born again.” Jesus nurtured the “woman ted that Jesus was from God but not God! at Jacob’s well” along. Not Nicodemus! There is Nicodemus represents an Israel bankrupt with no “one way” to do personal work. Nicodemus legalism. This illustrates the total failure of ex- understood baptism. Luke said the Pharisees ternal religion. Life is in the “Son,” not in “the rejected God by rejecting the baptism of John law.” Salvation is by faith, not by merit. Salva- (Luke 7:39). Nicodemus did use the editorial tion is by grace, not by works of merit. Religion “we” in his salutation (3:2). boasts in its own strength; Christianity prides in Nicodemus did not need a refresher course. “The Healer.” Nicodemus needed to give him- He needed a complete new start. Jesus was say- self to a person—Jesus. Paul said, “I know whom ing, “We will not philosophize all night. Obey I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12). what you know. You know what John said—do it!” Since the Babylonian Captivity the Jews had III. JOHN 3:16 baptized Gentiles. They were considered “new babies.” Now John the Baptist baptized Jews. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes Raymond Kelcy has said, “You will need a birth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” certificate in the judgment!” Regeneration is al- (3:16). most a lost word today in religion. It must be renewed. This is “everybody’s text,” the Golden Text of The Pharisees believed in the Holy Spirit. the Bible. John rescued this great revelation for Man cannot explain the wind, but he can use it. us. If you had written the Gospel of John, where Jesus answered Nicodemus with nature (3:8). would you have placed John 3:16? At the very Jesus then answered Nicodemus with Scrip- beginning? With the woman at Jacob’s well? ture from Numbers 21: With the woman in adultery in John 8? Where? John inserted it immediately after Nicode- Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How mus! The statement was made in connection can these things be?” Jesus answered and said with Nicodemus. He used it to answer bankrupt to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say religion. Great religionists have a problem with to you, we speak that which we know, and bear grace, dependence, and submission. Great sin- witness of that which we have seen; and you ners know they need grace. do not receive our witness. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you Nicodemus helped to bury Jesus! Thank him believe if I tell you heavenly things? And no for that act. He risked all in this burial. He finally one has ascended into heaven, but He who “came out of the closet.” Can you imagine “two descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the big shots” burying Jesus? When the disciples wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be fled, Nicodemus surfaced. Do not ever get too lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him proud to confess Christ. have eternal life” (3:9–15).

The murmuring Jews were perishing in the wil- CONCLUSION derness by snake bites. Moses made a brass Nicodemus was “so right” yet “so empty.” snake for healing. Paradoxically, the Jews had He was not right in his heart. We can be as been taught against graven images. Nicodemus straight as a gun barrel doctrinally but just as knew his Bible. Jesus was to be lifted up. The new empty as a gun barrel spiritually. Nicodemus birth means new life. One is born to live—not was not right with Jesus and His coming king- just born to be born. Tragically, the Jews made dom. Do you have your “birth certificate” ready? the brass snake an idol. Hezekiah had to destroy