AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS

Today we are going to look at someone called Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and a leader of the Jewish ruling council.  In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were a group of religious leaders who hated Jesus for many reasons.

So it was a surprise really that Nicodemus even wanted to go and see Jesus let alone talk with him.

But, in fact, Jesus and Nicodemus went on to have one of the most important conversations of all time.  -  (Check out John 3:16 probably the most famous verse in the New Testament)

Let’s take a closer look at this story:

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’

In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’

“How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’

“How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.

You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony' (John 3:1-11)

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

*  Why do you think Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night?

I imagine if someone saw Nicodemus and told the other Pharisees that he was with Jesus, he would have been in BIG trouble.

*  And why do you think Nicodemus wanted to even talk with Jesus?

It seems that something deep inside Nicodemus told him that he just HAD to talk to Jesus, so he risked everything and went to see him at night. There’s something about Jesus that’s compelling isn’t there? Nicodemus felt this and wanted to find out more.

*  But who did Nicodemus think Jesus really was? Did he only see him as a “great teacher”?

Maybe this was the case, but I suspect he knew there was something very special about Jesus.

*  But did Nicodemus get the answers he was looking for?

Well Jesus tried to help him see the truth of what he was searching for but Nicodemus didn't really understand what he was saying.  Even though Nicodemus was a well-educated man, a teacher of the law, this being 'born again' idea was all confusing and new to him.  He just didn’t get it.

*  What did it all mean? Could he enter his mother’s womb a second time!!! Poor old Nicodemus!

Of course he couldn’t!!!! What Jesus was simply telling Nicodemus was that he needed to experience a birth of the spirit. And people are born of the spirit through Jesus. This was the way to enter the kingdom of God.

This is what becoming a follower of Jesus is all about.

A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION

So after that conversation, is there any evidence that Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus?

Well - Yes!

Nicodemus actually appears two other times in the Gospel of John.

Once where he is standing up for Jesus to the other Pharisees, but the most remarkable of all is that we find him helping at the burial of Jesus.

We are told that Nicodemus annointed the body of Jesus. And the amount of burial spices that he used on him was excessive. So much, in fact, that usually people would only have used this amount for royalty such as priests or kings. What does this tell you about how Nicodemus viewed Jesus?

Well, it’s quite clear he loved Jesus isn’t it?

Think about the difference between Nicodemus’ first appearance with Jesus (secret, in the dark) and the last (broad daylight, at risk of losing his career and possibly his life).

I really believe that Nicodemus discovered for himself what it meant to be born again in the spirit, and he came to be a true follower of a Jesus.

It certainly looks like it doesn't it? What a story!