Nicodemus is like many of us. He tries to live in the right way. He is a student of God’s word.
In some ways he is more advanced than we are, for he is a famous teacher. He is blessed with a high position over the people of God.
Nicodemus serves on the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. He works beside the elders, and even the High Priest! None of his fellow rulers are perfect. The Sadducees, for example, weaken the Jewish faith. They go too far in pleasing foreigners who force their will on Israel.
Nicodemus is not a Sadducee. He is a leader of the Pharisee party. Pharisees can hold their heads high, for they faithfully guard the sacred Scriptures. They keep its laws and traditions very strictly. Nicodemus is the right kind of man. He has the right religion and values. He is born of the right nation – Israel! Surely these facts fit him for a special place in the kingdom God promised.
Then comes John the Baptizer. He announces that God’s kingdom is arriving soon. John warns Jewish leaders that God is angry. They cannot escape his anger by claiming to be the family of Abraham.
Jesus arrives with similar messages about the kingdom. He visits Jerusalem and wrecks businesses at the temple. He drives out the salesmen. Such actions must lead to a clash with the Sanhedrin council. Yet Nicodemus wants to be fair. He tests the evidence, and realizes that Jesus’ miracles are real. Yes, these are the kind of powerful “signs” Scripture describes. They prove the truth of God’s messengers.
Now Nicodemus must examine Jesus Himself. Nicodemus comes at night when crowds (and jealous authorities) may be less of a problem. Nicodemus opens with words which are both true and pleasant:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him (John 3:2).
“Rabbi” (Honored Teacher) is a title usually earned only through the highest schools. Jesus has no such schooling; He should feel pleased that the famous Nicodemus honors Him as an equal. Jesus, however, pays little attention to the title. For Jesus is much more than a rabbi. He is the Messiah. The prophets picture the glories of His kingdom. His signs are far above anything which points to “a teacher.” Yet most Jews cannot see this poor peasant from Nazareth as their king. They want a king to match Caesar, a kingdom to overthrow the Roman armies.
So Jesus drives straight at the heart of the matter – the nature of God’s kingdom. If Nicodemus hopes to enter the kingdom, he has much to learn. Jesus begins with a fact of utmost importance:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”(John 3:3).
Jewish birth is the best on earth. Nicodemus understands neither the need nor the possibility of another birth.
“How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4).
Jesus makes clearer what He means by the second birth:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:5-6).
Nicodemus remains puzzled. Soon Jesus rebukes him, “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things?” (John 3:10). Often we too fail to see spiritual reality. We tend to miss the truths closest to our own weakness and need. We struggle with God’s answers for life.
Much later, Nicodemus sees Jesus judged and killed. He takes a great risk to bury Jesus with his own hands (John 7:50-51; 19:38-42). Nicodemus does come to understand–but only after he discovers how little he knows. We too need humility as we enter this study. God has important matters for us to learn about His kingdom.
Nicodemus, however, is right in coming to Jesus for the answers. Use this Bible study to know Jesus and to seek His will. Open your heart for accepting and obeying His word. For it is in submitting that we are set free. It is in dying that we are born into new life with God.