Who is Nicodemus? Here is a description from the reference book “Everyone in the Bible” by William Barker.
“Nicodemus was a nationally known religious leader. He was not only a Pharisee, but he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the counsel of the 70 most prominent Jews. From the donation he brought to Jesus’ burial, it is obvious he was wealthy.”
As Jesus begins His ministry, His healings begin to get noticed. Nicodemus takes notice and approaches Jesus as he states in John 3:2 “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.” (God bringing awareness). Not all of his fellow leaders agreed with Nicodemus although some must have because he said, “we know”. So, he approached Jesus alone at night.
I am always intrigued by how Jesus ignores statements and changes the subject. He immediately launches into what the Jewish leaders are missing. Jesus defines the difference between just being religious and truly becoming a child of God. Jesus tells him, “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
That statement obviously confused Nicodemus. But I wonder what John and the other disciples thought. Here is Jesus telling one of the top Jewish leaders that he did not understand God’s plan. Imagine for a moment the 20-year-old John sitting there and hearing this. Was he afraid of what might happen to them? What would you be thinking? Now imagine the 80-year-old John smiling as he reflects on that critical moment of God revealing His plan to redeem mankind. That must have delighted him.
John 3:6 clearly states the difference, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Unless we accept the drawing of God’s Spirit and are given “ears to hear” we cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was an expert in the Jewish laws. All the extra “rules” they created to make themselves right with God. He was very religious, but Jesus is talking about a personal relationship with His Father. Born again into the family of God.
In John 3:14-15 Jesus describes the type of death He would endure to open a path to the Father for believers. Using an Old Testament reference, Numbers 21:5-9, that Nicodemus would surely recognize Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” Probably everyone present was confused by that statement, but they did know “lifted up” was a reference to crucifixion. Later they remember what He said when He was crucified.
Then Jesus makes the statement that is probably the most familiar Bible verse, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Not believing in Him like we believe in any other person in history. Believe that He is our Savior, Lord and Master, and we will follow Him as His disciple all the days of our lives.
What do you think 20-year-old John was thinking about this conversation? John looked up to Nicodemus as an iconic leader and Jesus was telling him he had it all wrong. John believed in Jesus. What a moment for this young man. Now at 80 John is remembering this conversation. That must have been amazing.
John putting the story of the Samaritan woman directly after the story of Nicodemus is very interesting to me. As stated, Nicodemus was one of the top leaders in the Jewish world. Samaritans were disliked by the Jewish people. If a Jewish person was traveling and going through Samaria was the shortest path, they would take the longer path and go around Samaria. Back-to-back we see John recording Jesus guiding the faith of both. I believe John was sharing with us the diversity of Jesus ministry right from the start.
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