John 3 (Nicodemus Charachter Study)
Notes
Transcript
Gospel of John is the only gospel that tells a story about Nicodemus.
He is mentioned in 3 events in John.
In the beginning, middle, and end of Jesus 3 year ministry.
In each event you see who he is change as he follows Jesus at a distance:
Event 1 (John 3:1-21)
Event 1 (John 3:1-21)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 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.”
here he is:
- Pharisee
best way to describe a pharisee is:
Looking good on the outside but dead inside
we no doubt giot Pharisees here.
you got a good front
you can talk Christian
you can act godly
you can worship
you can seem like you got it
- Ruler
(his name means “conquerer of the people”)
so for Nico he had influence.
and he had influence from people that did not like Jesus
maybe you have people around you that
that comes to Jesus at night
in verse 10 Jesus reveals that he is a teacher of Israel.
this man was surrounded by people not interested in a relationship with Jesus
in fact he was surrounded by people that hated Jesus.
While Nicodemus was heavily involved with people against Jesus
He questioned their opinions of Jesus.
and instead of casting judgement on Jesus
He goes straight to Jesus
teaching us 2 things.
before you judge someone go straight to them.
before you say Jesus is a not real, a liar, hypocrite, not for you, go to Him.
despite the pressure from his surroundings....
he had an interest in Jesus.
He knew Jesus was special
in John 3:2 he says to Jesus “you are a teacher from God”
Always remember Jesus came to Nicodemus as a
a man that seemed great on the outside but dead on the inside with influence of people against him to say:
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.
reminds me of
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
lets see him change a little in this 2nd event.
Event 2 (John 7:45-52)
Event 2 (John 7:45-52)
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them,
51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
The Pharisees and Saducees that normally debated each other are agreeing that they dont like Jesus
in fact in v.48 they imply that none of the educated
believe Jesus only the dumb dumbs
this is an argument that continues in our world.
Only the uneducated believe the Bible
If you were educated you wouldnt believe the Bible.
this is why it is important not to listen to the loud voice of society
but to the still small voice of God.
but Nico has self thinking mind
and questions the loud voices of his society
and turns their own rule book against them
by saying doesnt our law say not to judge someone until you hear from the other person.
the Pharisees get sassy @ nico
by insulting him with some passive aggressive
and try to prove Jesus isnt legit
and saying only unholiness comes from Galilee and they say are you from Galiee too?
which is like what Nathaniel said in John 1:46 about Jesus
46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Which for the Bible nerds the answer is yes.
1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
So Nico 3rd title is defender.
He defended Jesus while surrounded by those who opposed Jesus
Maybe you are in a similiar position having to defend Jesus or your relationship with God to those that oppose Him.
maybe you havent been defending Jesus around these people.
then how do you feel that a Pharisee even defended Jesus, while you still dont?
dont call your self a Christian if you cant even call your self a Nicodemus Pharisee
that can defend Jesus.
Event 3 (John 19:38-42)
Event 3 (John 19:38-42)
His 3rd title we will see is a worshipper
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
-Worshipper
He provides 100 pounds of embalming elements (myrh, aloes)
this is the amount they would use for a King.
He recognizes Jesus to being the king
from a high and mighty, ruler, and Pharisee
to recognizing the humble servant Jesus, as King.
When you recognize Jesus as King priorities change.
On the night Jesus died it was passover.
no doubt Nico would have been leading a passover over dinner that night
instead He is embalming the passover Lamb like a King.
He changed what used to matter the most to Jesus is most important.
He changed his conern from being about what others think about him, to what Jesus thinks of him
He changed from himself receiving worship and praise for his holy service especially during Passover to giving worship to Jesus.
It was no longer about himself, but about Jesus.
It wasnt about how will people see me
or what will people think if
it was about Jesus
and will people see Jesus in me.
What changed a pharisee ruler into a defender, and worshipper?
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.
How do you come to Jesus?
As a pharisee?
focused on yourself?
As a defender?
surrounded by those that are against Jesus, but standing for Him.
As a worshipper?
laying yourself down.
lifting Jesus up
in all aspects of life.
like a dog licking his masters feet.