Noticing Nicodemus

Introduction

Many things have been done under the cloak of darkness. Most of the time those things are done with the intent of not getting caught. One time I remember my brother, Chris sneaking out of the house to join up with a friend of his as they had a plan to roll the yard of another friend of theirs. My brother left the house and set out on his bicycle, but his friend never showed up. While the intent was to roll the yard without being caught by their friend or her parents, what my brother didn’t count on was getting busted at home. Dad had heard Chris sneak down the stairs, and when he walked out the door my dad locked it behind him. Ah, the things that are done at night as it is supposed to be a time of secrecy. However, not everything done at night is bad.

There is an individual in John’s gospel we are introduced to who showed up under the cloak of darkness for a good purpose. His name was Nicodemus. Three times we see him in the New Testament, all in the gospel of John. Every time we see him it is something pertaining to Jesus. His first appearance was a nightly visit to the Master Teacher, and when we get to know a little bit about him we understand why he waited until dark to talk with Christ. Have you ever noticed certain things about Nicodemus? This morning I want us to notice aspects of Nicodemus from the three places we see him in John’s gospel. Upon noticing these three things, I want us to notice our lives and see if we can learn some things from this man.

First, notice that Nicodemus came to Jesus.

Who was this man named Nicodemus? In John 3 we have our first introduction of him. He was a Pharisee who came to Jesus by night (Jn. 3:1). The Pharisees were the Jewish rulers and authorities of the day who were legalistic hypocrites. They strictly held to the Law, while at the same time as Jesus said “…neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness…” (Mt. 23:23). Nicodemus is the only active Pharisee who has a positive take on Jesus.

He comes to Jesus by night because of the position that he held, for he would be ridiculed or worse for approaching Jesus if the others found out. Unlike the other Pharisees, he believed in Jesus. He said “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (Jn. 3:2). Jesus begins a discussion about the new birth that is confusing to Nicodemus, which is probably the thing that people remember most about this encounter.

Here is what I want you to remember: he came to Jesus. Regardless of who he was, he came to Jesus. Regardless of when it was, he came to Jesus. The man came to Jesus, and that is important! There are a lot of people in this world who need to come to Jesus. It doesn’t matter what their religious background is, what their social status is, or when it is; people need to come to Jesus. Sometimes we use that phrase: “we’re gonna have a come to Jesus meeting!” There are many people who need a come to Jesus meeting.

Jesus tells us one of the reasons people need to come to Him is for rest and relief. ‘”Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I and gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light’” (Mt. 11:28-30). When we have problems in this world, Jesus wants us to come to Him. Jesus also wants us to come to Him for salvation. In Jn. 4 Jesus says that He gives living water which leads to eternal life (10, 14). Jesus also says there is a proper fashion for coming to Him. We need to receive the kingdom as a little child (Mk. 10:14) for humility and dependence must accompany our coming to Jesus.

Second, notice that Nicodemus contended for Jesus.

The next account of him we have is during a session where the chief priests and Pharisees were discussing Jesus in John 7:45-53. Notice that when the Pharisees remark that none of them have believed in Jesus, Nicodemus contends for Jesus by speaking up on His behalf. He said ‘”Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?’” (Jn. 7:51). This was a fair question, but the chief priests and Pharisees were not interested in the truth of the matter. They wanted no part of Jesus, unlike Nicodemus who had already come to Jesus acknowledging who He is.

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and they start saying something that’s not true about someone you are close to? How do you respond to that? Do you laugh and ignore what they are talking about? No, you stand up for them and defend them. You contend for them.

That’s what Nicodemus did for Jesus. Are you doing that for Jesus? Are you contending for Him to others around you? We as Christians are supposed to be contending for the faith (Jude 3). If we don’t stand up for the truth, we are not being contenders of the faith. On one occasion Peter was given three chances to stand up for Jesus, but he denied him all three times. Paul said “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them” (2 Tim. 4:16). When we’re given the opportunity to stand up for what is right and support the right cause, what will we do? Sometimes we sing the song Stand up for Jesus. Are you doing that?

Third and finally, notice that Nicodemus cared for Jesus.

It is said the average cost of a funeral in the USA is between $7,000 and $10,000 (http://www.parting.com/blog/funeral-costs-how-much-does-an-average-funeral-cost/). Funeral directors do a great job with taking care of everything pertaining to this process. I have been in an embalming room before for part of this process, and let me say that I appreciate the job they do. This is commonplace today, but did you realize in Bible times this wasn’t as commonplace? Embalming has its origins with the Egyptians, and even through the first century embalming was performed only for the wealthy.

Read Jn. 19:38-41. Jesus was the carpenter’s son, and He was not someone who had access to embalming services upon His death. However, Isaiah 53:9 talks about how He was with a rich man in His death. Joseph of Arimathea got the body of Jesus from Pilate, and he was assisted by none other than Nicodemus. They took care of the body of Jesus at his death by preparing it with a mixture of myrrh and aloes, wrapping it with linen wrappings, and burying it in Joseph’s own new tomb in the garden (Mt. 27:60; Jn. 19:38-41).

This is the third and final time we see Nicodemus as he cares for the body of Jesus by helping Joseph. You can’t care for Jesus in His death from the sense of assisting with the body, for He rose from the grave never to die again (Rom. 6:9). You can care for Jesus in His death by preaching Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23). You can care for Jesus in His death by taking up your cross daily (Lk. 9:23). You can care for Jesus in His death by showing others that Jesus was lifted up from the earth for the purpose of eternal life (Jn. 3:14-15).

Conclusion

This morning we have noticed some things about Nicodemus: he came to Jesus, he contended for Jesus, he cared for Jesus. It helps to notice things from Scripture, but what about where the rubber meets the road? What about you? What are you noticing about yourself this morning? Do you need to come to Jesus? Jesus came to you so that you can come to Him. There’s a great invitation in the last chapter of the Bible. It says “And the Spirit and the bride say, “’Come.’” And let the one who hears say, “’Come.’” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev. 22:17). The water of life is without cost because Jesus already paid the cost; He gave it all! Have you noticed?