Lent series, 3/30/11 Nicodemus, the Silent Believer
People of the Passion
Midweek 4
Nicodemus, the Silent Believer
Texts: John 3:1,2; 7:50,51; 19:39
In thinking about people of the passion, I wonder whether Nicodemus might have felt any remorse that he did not do more to prevent Jesus’ suffering and death. Did he ask himself later if he could have done something differently to help Jesus?
You remember Nicodemus, don’t you? Some people call him the night disciple, or as I call him “Nick at Night” because the first time he came to Jesus was late one night. Today, however, we choose to call him the Silent Believer. I don’t know if you would have called him a disciple the first time he came to Jesus. He had seen Jesus and knew about his miracles. He had heard his teachings. He thought Jesus must be “a teacher who has come from God” (Jn 3:2). But he had many questions.
Nicodemus came at night because then he could talk with Jesus alone, away from the crowds. He could speak with Jesus teacher to teacher: he a teacher and leader among the Jews and Jesus a teacher with signs from heaven. Nicodemus wondered—and he hoped to learn more—whether Jesus was the Messiah.
His coming a night also showed he was scared to come during the day when others could have seen him. He wanted to talk with Jesus, undetected by the other leaders of the Jews who, with him, were members of the Jewish ruling council. Jesus was not popular with most of them. They saw him as a threat to their security and hated the way he seemed to flaunt some of their church laws. And they were jealous of the following he was getting.
If the council members had known that Nicodemus went to Jesus, they would likely have turned on him and possibly have deposed him from the council. He did not want to jeopardize his good standing with them.
That night with Jesus changed Nicodemus’ life forever. Jesus told Nicodemus things about the kingdom of God and how he needed a new life from the Holy Spirit. He said that God loved the world and gave his one-and-only Son. And whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Nicodemus did not understand all of what Jesus told him, but the seeds of his faith were sown that night. He had much to ponder. He liked Jesus. But he kept silent about his visit and kept his real feelings to himself. He still had doubts and fears. He did not let on that he knew Jesus personally. On the outside he was quiet, but inwardly his soul cried out to know more.
As time went on, the members of the Jewish council grew more and more hostile toward Jesus. They did not hide their feelings. They opposed Jesus openly. They spoke out against Jesus in their meetings. Nicodemus, however, remained silent.
As matters grew worse, some of the rulers plotted to have Jesus arrested. But those sent to do the job returned empty-handed. When the council pressed them to tell why they failed, they answered simply: “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (Jn 7:46).
Imagine Nicodemus hearing them say that. He knew exactly what they meant, but he kept his experience with Jesus a well-guarded secret. Most of the others flew into a rage. “Nobody who is anybody believes in him,” they insisted. “The rulers don’t. The Pharisees don’t. And the mob knows nothing of the law, but is cursed.” They talked about knowing the law? They themselves ignored the law in their plotting against Jesus. Now Nicodemus had to say something. His conscience would not let him remain silent any longer.
He gained the floor of the council. He asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” It was a good legal question. But it fell far short of defending and confessing Jesus. The council ignored this legal challenge. Instead, they ridiculed Nicodemus, wondering if he too was deceived by the Galilean.
Nicodemus pondered his dilemma. He had tried to help Jesus and had courageously faced his irrational peers. Still, he had failed to press the point, failed to expose their madness, failed to confess Jesus. He needed more understanding and strength. But for the time being, judging that to say anything more would be fruitless, he remained silent.
Then, about six months later, the high priest Caiaphas convinced the council that Jesus must die. As the judgment was declared, only Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea did not consent. But neither did they strenuously object. It was too late and impossible to stop the brewing storm.
Then it happened. Late into the night during the Passover Festival, the council was summoned to meet. Jesus had been captured and was on trial for his life. Everything about it was wrong. The false witnesses, the trial, Caiaphas’ hatred were all wrong. Yet it happened. That normally august body pronounced the death sentence on Jesus. Nicodemus did not agree. He just remained silent, swept along in the relentless tide of injustice.
Was it at Calvary that Nicodemus finally realized that he had to break his silence? There was Jesus, hanging on the cross in torment. Nicodemus watched, feeling that he had let it happen. He could have spoken out more emphatically. He could have confessed his faith. Maybe he could have prevented the murder of this innocent man.
He marveled to himself how passively Jesus accepted his sentence. He heard Jesus cry out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). That word of forgiveness meant a lot to Nicodemus, for in his mind, no one needed forgiveness more than he.
His faith grew stronger. It seems he determined right there not to hide his faith any longer. Although it was terribly late, he would show that Jesus did not die in vain. He would help bury him. He would publicly confess his allegiance to Jesus and his teachings. Let the rest of the council do their worst. Nicodemus’ place was now with Jesus, even a dead Jesus. Nicodemus no doubt faced the wrath of the council. But he did not need them anymore. He had Christ.
The days ahead brought untold joy to Nicodemus. The man he had buried rose from the dead and appeared alive. Jesus’ death was not in vain. In death, Jesus won forgiveness of sins and eternal life for Nicodemus and all sinners. He did not die because Nicodemus failed to speak. He died because he had a mission to save the world. Now that Jesus was alive, how could Nicodemus help but speak?
We look down our nose at Nicodemus, for not standing up for Jesus and not admitting his relationship with him. We do that, but how many of us have stayed silent when we should be telling the truth of Christ Jesus? Are you intimidated by bold and threatening unbelievers? Do you strain to express your faith, but hold back in weakness?
If so, I urge you to join me in learning from Nicodemus’ example. Remember Jesus on the cross. Remember him in the grave and then alive. Speak up and tell the world about him. If you have hesitated before, don’t hesitate any longer. Take the lead to honor Christ. Repent of your weaknesses and sins. Trust in Christ. Be bold to speak of the crucified Savior and the forgiveness of sins, for he died for you. Amen.
Midweek 4
Nicodemus, the Silent Believer
Texts: John 3:1,2; 7:50,51; 19:39
In thinking about people of the passion, I wonder whether Nicodemus might have felt any remorse that he did not do more to prevent Jesus’ suffering and death. Did he ask himself later if he could have done something differently to help Jesus?
You remember Nicodemus, don’t you? Some people call him the night disciple, or as I call him “Nick at Night” because the first time he came to Jesus was late one night. Today, however, we choose to call him the Silent Believer. I don’t know if you would have called him a disciple the first time he came to Jesus. He had seen Jesus and knew about his miracles. He had heard his teachings. He thought Jesus must be “a teacher who has come from God” (Jn 3:2). But he had many questions.
Nicodemus came at night because then he could talk with Jesus alone, away from the crowds. He could speak with Jesus teacher to teacher: he a teacher and leader among the Jews and Jesus a teacher with signs from heaven. Nicodemus wondered—and he hoped to learn more—whether Jesus was the Messiah.
His coming a night also showed he was scared to come during the day when others could have seen him. He wanted to talk with Jesus, undetected by the other leaders of the Jews who, with him, were members of the Jewish ruling council. Jesus was not popular with most of them. They saw him as a threat to their security and hated the way he seemed to flaunt some of their church laws. And they were jealous of the following he was getting.
If the council members had known that Nicodemus went to Jesus, they would likely have turned on him and possibly have deposed him from the council. He did not want to jeopardize his good standing with them.
That night with Jesus changed Nicodemus’ life forever. Jesus told Nicodemus things about the kingdom of God and how he needed a new life from the Holy Spirit. He said that God loved the world and gave his one-and-only Son. And whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Nicodemus did not understand all of what Jesus told him, but the seeds of his faith were sown that night. He had much to ponder. He liked Jesus. But he kept silent about his visit and kept his real feelings to himself. He still had doubts and fears. He did not let on that he knew Jesus personally. On the outside he was quiet, but inwardly his soul cried out to know more.
As time went on, the members of the Jewish council grew more and more hostile toward Jesus. They did not hide their feelings. They opposed Jesus openly. They spoke out against Jesus in their meetings. Nicodemus, however, remained silent.
As matters grew worse, some of the rulers plotted to have Jesus arrested. But those sent to do the job returned empty-handed. When the council pressed them to tell why they failed, they answered simply: “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (Jn 7:46).
Imagine Nicodemus hearing them say that. He knew exactly what they meant, but he kept his experience with Jesus a well-guarded secret. Most of the others flew into a rage. “Nobody who is anybody believes in him,” they insisted. “The rulers don’t. The Pharisees don’t. And the mob knows nothing of the law, but is cursed.” They talked about knowing the law? They themselves ignored the law in their plotting against Jesus. Now Nicodemus had to say something. His conscience would not let him remain silent any longer.
He gained the floor of the council. He asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” It was a good legal question. But it fell far short of defending and confessing Jesus. The council ignored this legal challenge. Instead, they ridiculed Nicodemus, wondering if he too was deceived by the Galilean.
Nicodemus pondered his dilemma. He had tried to help Jesus and had courageously faced his irrational peers. Still, he had failed to press the point, failed to expose their madness, failed to confess Jesus. He needed more understanding and strength. But for the time being, judging that to say anything more would be fruitless, he remained silent.
Then, about six months later, the high priest Caiaphas convinced the council that Jesus must die. As the judgment was declared, only Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea did not consent. But neither did they strenuously object. It was too late and impossible to stop the brewing storm.
Then it happened. Late into the night during the Passover Festival, the council was summoned to meet. Jesus had been captured and was on trial for his life. Everything about it was wrong. The false witnesses, the trial, Caiaphas’ hatred were all wrong. Yet it happened. That normally august body pronounced the death sentence on Jesus. Nicodemus did not agree. He just remained silent, swept along in the relentless tide of injustice.
Was it at Calvary that Nicodemus finally realized that he had to break his silence? There was Jesus, hanging on the cross in torment. Nicodemus watched, feeling that he had let it happen. He could have spoken out more emphatically. He could have confessed his faith. Maybe he could have prevented the murder of this innocent man.
He marveled to himself how passively Jesus accepted his sentence. He heard Jesus cry out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). That word of forgiveness meant a lot to Nicodemus, for in his mind, no one needed forgiveness more than he.
His faith grew stronger. It seems he determined right there not to hide his faith any longer. Although it was terribly late, he would show that Jesus did not die in vain. He would help bury him. He would publicly confess his allegiance to Jesus and his teachings. Let the rest of the council do their worst. Nicodemus’ place was now with Jesus, even a dead Jesus. Nicodemus no doubt faced the wrath of the council. But he did not need them anymore. He had Christ.
The days ahead brought untold joy to Nicodemus. The man he had buried rose from the dead and appeared alive. Jesus’ death was not in vain. In death, Jesus won forgiveness of sins and eternal life for Nicodemus and all sinners. He did not die because Nicodemus failed to speak. He died because he had a mission to save the world. Now that Jesus was alive, how could Nicodemus help but speak?
We look down our nose at Nicodemus, for not standing up for Jesus and not admitting his relationship with him. We do that, but how many of us have stayed silent when we should be telling the truth of Christ Jesus? Are you intimidated by bold and threatening unbelievers? Do you strain to express your faith, but hold back in weakness?
If so, I urge you to join me in learning from Nicodemus’ example. Remember Jesus on the cross. Remember him in the grave and then alive. Speak up and tell the world about him. If you have hesitated before, don’t hesitate any longer. Take the lead to honor Christ. Repent of your weaknesses and sins. Trust in Christ. Be bold to speak of the crucified Savior and the forgiveness of sins, for he died for you. Amen.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 10:45 AM
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