Untitled Sermon (3)
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus. Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned only in John’s Gospel (20:30, 31). Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, acknowledging him as a teacher sent by God (3:2). He was convinced that Jesus could not perform such things if God were not with him. Following an interchange concerning the need to be born again (v 3), Jesus asked how Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish religious court, could fail to understand such things (v 10). At that time he evidently made no profession of faith, but later did defend Jesus before the Sanhedrin (7:50–52). After Jesus’ death, Nicodemus openly assisted Joseph of Arimathea with the burial of his body (19:39–42).
Some scholars suggest that Nicodemus was one of the Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus, but did not confess him openly for fear of excommunication (12:42). Tradition subsequently held that he belonged to the household of faith, as one persuaded to believe through the word and deeds of Jesus, but intimidated by the religious establishment.
John 3:1–10
Jesus Is Buried
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
The Unbelief of the People
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
7. Marvel not, &c.—If a spiritual nature only can see and enter the kingdom of God; if all we bring into the world with us be the reverse of spiritual; and if this spirituality be solely of the Holy Ghost, no wonder a new birth is indispensable.
A. Conversation with Nicodemus (3:1–15)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Philosophy and religion can be complicated, but the gospel is simple, yet profound enough to stun the intellect of a learned Pharisee.
Nicodemus was rich, he was highly educated, he was interested in spiritual matters, he had a solid grasp of Old Testament Scripture—but he knew something was missing in his life. A theologian approached a carpenter and graciously acknowledged him as a teacher from God because of the signs
Nicodemus demonstrates that religious training without spiritual insight is useless.
