A Night-Time Nicodemus

In the opening verses of Chapter 3 of John’s gospel, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night to talk with him. Now Nicodemus was a member of the Pharisees and a teacher of the people, a well-respected member of Israel’s society at the time. Nicodemus come to Jesus by night? Although John does not give us the reason, I suspect the following scenario. Jesus had already become popular with the people and also controversial by this time. Jesus was challenging the religious leaders’ authority, and those leaders didn’t care much for that. They were already seeking a way to silence Jesus and get him out of their way. As Nicodemus was evidently a prominent member of the religious leaders, he may have been afraid to be seen conversing with Jesus. Such a meeting might compromise his standing among the Pharisees and other religious leaders. I’m sure that he held his position in high esteem and didn’t want to jeopardize it in any way. But Nicodemus knew that there was something special about Jesus as evidenced by his opening remarks when he said, “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.” He wanted to know more about Jesus while at the same time safeguarding his position. Thus, he cane to Jesus at night.

Nicodemus’ coming to Jesus at night was physical darkness, but Nicodemus was also in a spiritual darkness. When Jesus told him that no one could enter the kingdom of heaven unless they had been born again, Nicodemus didn’t have a clue as to what Jesus meant. He was completely in the dark. However, we really can blame Nicodemus that much for his lack of understanding. Jesus’ answer to Nicodemus’ statement about who Jesus was didn’t have a logical connection. Nicodemus hadn’t asked or said anything about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus attempted to bring Nicodemus to light by explaining that he must undergo a second birth before he could enter heaven. Nicodemus didn’t understand that he was thinking about the natural physical birth process while Jesus was talking about a spiritual birth. Nicodemus asked the rhetorical question of how could a man be born again when he was old; again he was in the physical realm. For surely, a man cannot enter into his mother’s womb and be born again.

Jesus than explained that the one who enters the kingdom of heaven must be born of water and the spirit. He went on to tell Nicodemus that the flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit. He used the blowing of the wind as an analogy. The wind blows where it pleases. We can hear its sound but we don’t know from where it comes or where it is going. Jesus stated that is how it is with the Spirit.

Nicodemus is still in the dark, for he asks of Jesus how that could be. Jesus then somewhat scolds Nicodemus by reminding him that he is a teacher of the people, yet he does not understand the concept f being born again. Jesus goes on to remind him that he has spoken of the things that he knows, but Nicodemus and his people have not accepted that testimony. Jesus tells Nicodemus that He has spoken to him concerning earthly things and he does not believe them, so how can he understand heavenly things? He goes on to tell Nicodemus that no one has ever gone to heaven except for the Son of Man - Himself and that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, Jesus must be lifted up so that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life. Then follows is one of the most well-known verses in the entire Bible, 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.”

Biblical scholars are not united as to how actually spoke the words of John 3:16. It has generally been attributed to Jesus, but these could be John’s words in explain how we may obtain eternal life. Regardless of who uttered these words, they are the core principle of salvation.

John does not tell us how long the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus lasted; we can only speculate about that. However, I am fairly certain that Nicodemus never fully comprehended what Jesus had told. We never see that “aha” moment in this passage, so it appears that Nicodemus was still in the dark both physically and spiritually when he left Jesus’ presence. He came in the dark, and he left in the dark.

What are the implications of this passage of Scripture for us today? The question that jumps out at me that we must be honest with ourselves is. “Are we a night-time Nicodemus”? Do we hover in the shadows and proclaim the message of Jesus only when we feel like we have to or when we are not afraid of being seen by others? Or do we daily proclaim the saving message of the gospel boldly and without reservation? As preachers and teachers, we have been charged carrying the gospel to the world, night and day. As Paul told Timothy, “Be ready in season and out of season.” As we are in the light of Jesus’ love and mercy, so must we bring others into that light. John tells us that Jesus is the “Light of the World” and we may always be ready to lead others out of the darkness of sin and into the light of God’s saving grace. There is a lost and dying world around that is looking for answers. As messengers of God, we should be ready to help them find the truth about salvation and eternal life. And not just in our own pulpits, but everywhere we go. I heard one of our classmates state a couple of weeks ago that we should always preach like that particular sermon will be the chance we have to lead someone to Jesus. To bring them out of the darkness of sin and into the light God’s love and mercy. God expects no less of us.

As seminary students, we are currently on a journey to learn be better able to carry the gospel message to a world full of darkness. We must accept our calling and faithfully prepare ourselves to be better ministers and pastors. Let us let our light shine with the warmth and glow of God’s love and grace. Proclaim the word boldly, and let us not be a night-time Nicodemus.