Original publication: October 31, 2023
John 3:3 Jesus replied, “…I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” NLT
The story of Nicodemus nighttime meeting with Jesus is always portrayed as if Nicodemus didn’t want to be caught associating with Jesus by the other members of the Sanhedrin. While that may in fact be why, we just don’t know that from scripture.
There is a road inside of you1
Inside of me there is one too
No stumbling pilgrim in the dark
The road to Zion’s in your heart
The road to Zion’s in your heart
What we are sure of is that Nicodemus wanted to speak to Jesus, either personally or officially for the Pharisees, to verify just who He was. Proof. Questions answered, and maybe in the security of the darkness.
Nicodemus didn’t really know that he was talking to the Lord of Light. Jesus is Light that exposes sin so that we can be saved. But lost people are blind and unless drawn by the Spirit, they can’t see Jesus as the Savior of the world.
But even though lost people can’t see their own need for a personal relationship with God, scripture tells us that God has put eternity in our hearts. Scripture also tells us that man is without excuse because creation testifies to the truth of God’s existence. Somewhere in the human heart, even lost people know. That included Nicodemus. Check out this article from gotquestions.org
Sometimes a shadow dark and cold2
Lays like a mist across the road
But be encouraged by the sight
Where there’s a shadow, there’s a light
John 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. WEB
One thing we do know from the passage in John chapter 3 is that Nicodemus didn’t believe Jesus was Messiah, the Christ, is because he exposes his own heart. He tells Jesus,
“…“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 WEB
If Nicodemus had truly believed, he would have added his faith statement. God is in Jesus, not just with Him. He also would have believed, even without the display of miraculous events. Nicodemus’ very questions posed to Jesus reveal the state of his empty soul.
Jesus was the promised Savior, standing right beside Nicodemus! Yet he didn’t recognize Him. Instead, Nicodemus’ statement simply makes Jesus a good man or at best another God-sent prophet.
Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus seems mysterious and odd….to the unbelieving heart. You may wonder why Jesus just didn’t give Nicodemus an “A, B, C” kind of answer. John 3:10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?” WEB
Would concise, practical, even intellectual persuasion have convinced the well cloaked heart of the Pharisee? Never!
John 3:19-20 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. WEB
If Jesus had given a human kind of answer to Nicodemus that would make salvation a human pursuit. But remember, true faith in Christ Jesus happens because it is given by the Holy Spirit. Romans 2:4 & Galatians 4:6 It can never be perceived of by human intellect or endeavor. That’s why anyone who is truly saved can’t claim credit for their good works and believe they will be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB
So, do we know how the story ended for Nicodemus? Not really. The scripture does point out that he reminded the Pharisees of the Hebrew law, which they were breaking, when they were plotting against Jesus. John 7:50-51 WEB
We also know that Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. John 19:39 WEB Each of these acts were displays of affection. Nowhere in scripture does it say that Nicodemus was redeemed, although we surely hope that he finally believed and was redeemed.
By the way, have you realized that we are in John chapter 3, and the greatest verse of all time has yet to be mentioned? You know it by heart, even if you don’t believe it.
John 3:16. It’s the deep, heartfelt part of this true interaction, when our Savior must have had a lump in His throat. He was telling Nicodemus how much He loved Him. But Jesus, who knows all hearts, knew that Nicodemus did not believe.
I hope that you will be certain of your faith in Jesus. Click each link. Always read God’s Word for yourself. It is everyone’s responsibility to read the Bible. It answers our questions and helps us stay in Jesus’ footprints. The verses below are a great place to start, even for believers who already know the Savior.
Read it like Jesus meant this passage for you, because He did!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
And the verse that many people remain unaware of.
John 3:17 NLT For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
There is a song by Mike Hudson, of Petra, called The Road to Zion3. The link is posted here. I hope you will listen to it. The lyrics encapsulate our study today, about finding the Way of Life.
Resources
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 