“There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” who knew the law (John 3:1), but had yet to encounter love Himself. That is, until the night he came to see Jesus. For Nicodemus, faith was synonymous with his pharisaical practices. His belief system was built on the foundation of strictly adhering to the rules and doing good works to please God. Faith in the person of Jesus was hard to make sense of beyond the law. So when Nicodemus sought Him out, Jesus told him the truth:
“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Jesus told Nicodemus he was blind! This Pharisee had heard God’s Word, but did not recognize the person of Jesus standing before him. Without believing in Jesus and being “born of the Spirit,” Nicodemus would stand “condemned” (vv.8,18). Nicodemus must have walked away confused and conflicted. Yet, after Nicodemus personally met with Jesus, something in him changed.
As we follow his story, we see Nicodemus courageously confront the other Pharisees who tried to condemn Jesus unjustly (John 7:45–52). Later, he joined Joseph of Arimathea to anoint Jesus’s body for burial with aloe and myrrh—more than a thoughtful gesture, considering Nicodemus would have known that myrrh was used to anoint high priests and kings (John 19:38–42). Were his actions implying he now understood Jesus’s true role?
As we reach the end of Nicodemus’s story, I am led to believe that Nicodemus knew Jesus, not as a distant ideology, but as a personal Savior. We see his faith, though not instantaneous, refined over a series of choices to honor Jesus as more than a teacher: a King.
This is what happens when we meet the person of Jesus—we’re given life, again! Though we may not be physically reborn, we are forever changed. A personal encounter with Jesus opens our eyes and beckons us to turn and look at “the Son of Man… lifted up” for who He truly is (John 3:14). And by believing in Him, we receive the gift of eternal life (v.15). Now we have assurance of seeing the kingdom of God—not by anything we have done, but by what Jesus has done for us.
We can now come into the light of this saving truth, no longer hiding behind our seemingly good religious deeds. Instead, we continue to practice what Scripture instructs us to do—things like giving generously to the local church, honoring our parents, obeying God by sharing the gospel, fighting against injustice, remaining faithful to our spouses, or keeping the Sabbath—knowing that our faithfulness points to our God (John 3:21). And when we are tempted to earn our salvation, may we remember that Jesus invites us to seek Him and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), whether in the middle of the night like Nicodemus or first light of day, at work or at home, in the classroom or the car. What He has for us is not just a set of rules, but a relationship. Not just the law, but a life-changing love.
Writer and speaker Bailey T. Hurley is everyone’s favorite cheerleader for godly friendships. With a life-long heart for hospitality, Bailey offers simple friendship habits to help women build meaningful, lasting relationships. She’s written for publications like Deeply Rooted Magazine, Grit and Virtue, and Salvation Army’s Peer Magazine. She loves podcasts, and you can find her on Sally Clarkson’s “Life with Sally,” Kristin Schell’s “At the Turquoise Table,” and a dozen more. Bailey holds an MA in Leadership from Denver Seminary. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and kiddos, Hunter and Liv. Learn more at baileythurley.com.
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37 thoughts on "Nicodemus"
Nicodemus risked it all and so should we! following Jesus was never meant to be safe
We must be born again, seek first the kingdom of God, He must give us new life by His grace. He brings is to a place where we realize we are not sufficient, and then, Romans 8:11-15,”And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”” He is my Dad, by His power and sufficiency, He has given me life! Day by day He gives me strength and teaches me to rely on Him. (Deuteronomy 33, Judges 6-7, John 3:3, Matthew 6:33) I love you Lord! Thank you for being my joy and satisfaction, for giving me fellowship with you, for caring about me.
This dovetails so beautifully with a Liz Curtis Higgs devotional I read right before this, that “I” can’t but Jesus can. Jesus saves, not our works. Jesus every day in all things. Amen.
Dorothy, I’ve been thinking about you and praying for you as you start a new week in a new home. I hope that your move went smoothly and that you are already feeling more settled. God bless you, dear friend.
Nicodemus was a rare Pharisee. He stepped out of his law-abiding comfort zone and engaged with the Truth. Though he was baffled at first, he listened and sought fuller understanding. Instead of relying on others’ interpretation of the law, he met and listened to the One who wrote the law. A life lived chained to the law was a pitiful one compared to a late night encounter with the chain breaker. Nicodemus allowed himself to rethink all he had been taught, all he thought he knew, and his mind became transformed and renewed. He became born again. What traditions, rituals, beliefs do we hold onto that might be transformed if held up to the Light? Are we ready to reconsider “that’s just what we’ve always done”? Have we relied too much on what our pastors preach rather than studying the Word for ourselves? Are we wiling to be as the Berean church and compare man’s words to God’s Word? Have we become people of the Book with the heart of Jesus? Let us pray we would be as Nicodemus and watch the chains fall.
♥️
Questions I ask REGULARLY.
*life
“a light changing love” – AMEN
This part stood out: This is what happens when we meet the person of Jesus—we’re given life, again! Though we may not be physically reborn, we are forever changed. A personal encounter with Jesus opens our eyes and beckons us to turn and look at “the Son of Man… lifted up” for who He truly is (John 3:14). And by believing in Him, we receive the gift of eternal life (v.15). Now we have assurance of seeing the kingdom of God—not by anything we have done, but by what Jesus has done for us.
This is what I pray for all. May all have an encounter with Jesus where we are undone like Isaiah where he saw the Holiness of God and how unclean he and the people were. An encounter that totally changes they way we think, live, speak, and act. A total transformation where we hate what God hates, and love what God loves. May all have an encounter that has them in love with their Savior and in a posture of never ending awe and reverence for the King.
I saw this video the other day discussing why a Christian singer has turned away from God. Todd, the host of the show, tells youth leaders and parents that they must teach the Word , address questions that may arise and tell about Jesus. (I’m paraphrasing.) The singer had questions that kept coming up and now he says he isn’t a Christian anymore. Todd addresses these questions.. Hete is the link: https://youtu.be/0U4SOlyt8xA