Study 1

NICODEMUS THE PHARISEE

Scripture Reading: John 3:1-16

Three times we are told that Nicodemus was the man who came to Jesus "by night", look up John 3:2; John 7:50-
52(Nicodemus stood up for Jesus when they made a conspiracy to him)and John 19:39 ( He helped Joseph of
Arimathea take Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb, at great risk to his safety
and reputation.Nicodemus, a man of wealth, donated 75 pounds of expensive myrrh and aloes
to anoint Jesus' body after Jesus died.)

Why did he visit the Lord Jesus by night? Was it an indication of cowardice? Surely not! Was it that he was a prominent
man and did not wish to create a stir by seeking an interview with the Lord? Possibly this is the answer. Or, it could have
been that Nicodemus knew that Jesus was very busy and would be more likely to be free for an unhurried talk at the close
of the day. The wonderful thing for us to notice is that whether men and women come to the Lord by night or by day, on
sea or on land, privately or publicly, the important thing is that they do come; and thank God, anyone who comes can be
sure of a royal welcome! Look up John 6:37. Nicodemus discovered this; he found that Jesus was ready to receive him.
What kind of a man was Nicodemus?

1. His Character

In the gospels we are told of many different kinds of people who came to the Lord; for example, the rich young ruler, look
up Luke 18:18-23; Zacchaeus, look up Luke 19:1-10; the woman at the well (Samarian woman) , look up John 4:5-30. What
about Nicodemus? It is easy to see from a careful reading of this man's conversation with the Lord that he was sincere,
courteous, earnest, intelligent and influential, he was a ruler of the Jews", and "a Pharisee", verse 1. These facts tell us that
he was a very religious man. This member of the Sanhedrin, was “ Israel’s teacher”, as verse 10 tells us, a master, or "the
master in Israel". We also know from the record that he was a moral man, that is, he lived a good and upright life. There is
nothing on record against nicodemus. This is the man who came to Jesus and who needed to be born again. Good people need
to be born again as well bad people! Look at verse 3.

Nicodemus – A Prominent man, He was a rich man, respected, religious, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, a member of the ruling
Sanhedrin (greek word means “assembly” or council – supreme court of ancient Israel)

Character :
1) Goodness – Our goodness/ righteousness is like a filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)
2) Curiosity changed to Concerned
3) Candor – Honest and open
4) Conversion
 2. His Curiosity

Perhaps the word should be "concern" rather than "curiosity", but there is an element of curiosity indicated in
verse 2. Nicodemus was an enquiring man. It was with a sense of wonder that he came for an interview with
the Lord, and when he came to the Lord he got more than he bargained for, as we discover in verses 2 and 3.
Think of it, this religious, moral man was spiritually dead (separated from God, Since we are dead in sin, we
are completely unable to trust God or His Word) and needed to be born again!

What does it mean to be “born again”?

ἄνωθεν (anothen), the original Greek word translated “again,” more commonly means “from above”
or “from on high” - i.e., from heaven. This Greek word occurs 13 times in the Bible and is translated
“from above” 5 times, “top” 3 times, “from the first” once, “from the beginning” once, “again” only
twice, and not translated once. Jesus is saying that Nicodemus “cannot see the kingdom of
God” (John 3:3) because he has not received spiritual birth from heaven - i.e., from God

in fact, it was only curiosity that made Nicodemus seek Jesus out (But This is not an accident), it is certain
that before long his curiosity changed to concern, verses 4 and 9 assure us of this. It is a great thing when a
man begins to feel really concerned about his soul's salvation, look up Acts 16:30. This concern is produced
by the convicting, or convincing, work of the Holy Spirit, look up John 16:7-11, and compare Acts 2:36-41,
where we have an illustration of this very thing! It is only when we know and feel ourselves to be lost that we
seek the way of salvation.

3. His Candor

When Jesus spoke about the new birth, Nicodemus was frankly puzzled; he was bewildered (confused) and
mystified, and he answered Jesus by saying, look at verse 4! It is interesting that Nicodemus was not afraid to
admit his ignorance. He did not pretend to know all the answers. He was open and candid in his conversation with
the Lord Jesus; but notice that all that he said and the questions he asked indicated that he was not only spiritually
dead but he was blind too, look up1 Corinthians 2:14. He simply could not understand spiritual truth, any more
than anyone can until he has been born again. The important thing to notice, however, is that Nicodemus was
honest enough to say so, and his honesty and his candor led to the Lord making a fuller explanation of the
necessity, the meaning and the method of the new birth, see what verse 5 tells us. This does not refer to baptism;
"born of water" refers to the Word of God, the gospel, which is the agent the Holy Spirit uses in producing the
miracle of the new birth. Water is a symbol of the Word of God, look up Titus 3:5; James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23.
Then our Lord went on, read verses 6, 7 and 8. Even Nicodemus could not fathom (measure) this great truth, as
we discover from verse 9; and then Jesus said, verse 10! How amazing! Did Nicodemus leave the Lord
unconverted, unsaved, not born again? We cannot be absolutely sure about the answer to this question, but we do
know that later on he testified to his faith in Christ and to his devotion to the Lord. So, as a final point, notice:

4. His Conversion

It is possible that he went away from the Lord's presence to think deeply upon all that he had heard, and that on
that particular night he did not make any commitment of his soul to the Lord Jesus for salvation. We cannot be
sure. What we are sure about, however, is that as a result of this interview with Him. Nicodemus was born
again, he was converted, he became a Christian, he really entered into a life of discipleship, look up and
compare John 7:45-52 and John 19:38-42. How can a man be sure that he has been born again? In the only way
that it is possible for anyone to be sure. Jesus made it quite clear, and we have His words recorded for us in
John 3:14-16, and compare Numbers 21:6-9, that one is born again by looking in simple faith to the Lord Jesus,
Who died upon the cross to save us, Who rose again and Who lives now at God's right hand to be the Saviour of
all who will put their trust in Him. Anyone, at any time, who looks away from sin and from self, and looks to
 the Saviour for salvation, will experience His saving grace. He will experience the grace of the Lord Jesus in
salvation in a moment of time, as we learn from these verses before us, and from many other glorious promises
in the Word of God. So just ponder this, and ask yourself the questions:
Where do I stand?
Have I been born again?
Have I looked away in simple faith to the Lord Jesus for salvation? Look up Isaiah 45:22.
Is all my trust in Him for time and for eternity?

There is life for a look at the Crucified One, There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved, Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.