The Meeting Between Jesus and Nicodemus In The Gospel of John
Nicodemus is a well known figure in the gospel of John. Nicodemus famously met Jesus at night and the story that is recorded includes the well-known salvation verse, John 3:16.
John Chapter 3
In John 3 we read,
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘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.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘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. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” 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.’
John 3:1-10 ESV
This passage proceeds what is likely the most often quoted verse in the Scriptures,
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
Nicodemus, the Spiritual Leader
In my post entitled “Jesus Understood The Big Picture,” we learned that the spiritual leaders of His time didn’t understand Jesus’ teachings. And yet, there were some who truly wanted to do so. Nicodemus was one such leader.
As we read, he declared to Jesus,
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.”
Did this mean he had a clearer understanding of Jesus’ teachings than his colleagues? Perhaps—as evidenced by his visit—but when Jesus told him he must be born again, Nicodemus’ mind turned immediately to physical birth. How could one return to his mother’s womb?
Jesus Questions Nicodemus’s Understanding
As the Lord continued to teach this leader, He asked,
Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?”
Unlike the other spiritual leaders, Nicodemus didn’t resent Jesus and the challenges He presented. Nicodemus sought spiritual understanding and insight.
Humility in Leadership
There are many things we can learn from this leader of Israel. He humbled himself and went to Jesus. He acknowledged who Jesus was; he didn’t try to find an alternative explanation or ignore the truth. He asked questions when he didn’t understand what the Lord was saying.
He didn’t resent the Jesus’ challenge to him but asked more questions. And after Jesus died on the cross, Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea and requested that they be given permission to bury Him. Nicodemus’ faith wasn’t fleeting; he was committed to Jesus for the long haul.
We must not become arrogant or proud, even if the Lord raises us up to a position of spiritual leadership. Even though we will not understand all spiritual truth this side of eternity, we must live up to what God has revealed to us and daily seek deeper understanding. We must walk in humility and persevere in faith.
Would you like to find out more about Jesus? Contact us and we will be happy to talk with you.
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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Images Courtesy of:
Jesus and Nicodemus on a Rooftop – Henry Ossawa Tanner
Dandelion – blickpixel
Businessman – Goumbik
Man in Doorway – fancycrave1
Learn More About Nicodemus:
Comparing Jesus and Nicodemus with the Woman at the Well and a Disabled Man
John Chapter 3 – Jesus and Nicodemus
Jesus Says we Must be “Born Again,” but What Does that Mean?
Akinmeye Akinbode says
I do believe in Jesus but does he really has a picture
Ray Marshall says
Hi Akinmeyebode,
That’s a good question. There is no picture of Jesus. As far as we know, no-one ever painted His picture. However, we can get a “picture” or imagine in our minds what His life was like, the miracles He performed, the things He taught and so on. I don’t think it is really important for us to know what He looked like. If it was important God would have given us a picture to remember Jesus. What is important is that we believe in Jesus and trust in Him for our salvation. Thank you so much for your question. Please share our site with your friends and we will try to answer any other questions you have. May God richly bless you! Ray
Kyeremeh Mefiboset says
Born again means, Jesus will raise our souls from death to come alive again. If you only believe Jesus is your saviour.
mary says
who baptized nichodemius
Emmanuel kwabena says
Who can save,,
l just want know who is saved
how can I be saved
God bless you and your hopestreamRadio
Mark Hillis says
Hi Emmanuel, thank you for asking us your questions. In the bible in the book of Acts chapter 4 verse 12 is says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” This verse is talking about Jesus. Our sin separates us from God and we need to be brought close to Him. Jesus was sinless and died for our sin to save us. He rose from the dead so we can have new life. Anyone who believes and trusts in what Jesus did for them is saved. Believe and pray to God for His salvation in Jesus. I will try to answer any other questions. I will pray for you.
Ray Marshall says
Hi Mary, we don’t know who baptized Nicodemus. Of course, a person does not need to be baptized to be saved. When we are baptized, we are not becoming a Christian, we are showing everyone that we have chosen to become a Christian and follow Jesus.