stephen R Harrison

I share the gospel with others on a regular basis. I’ve had the privilege of sharing the gospel and life with some (1 Thessalonians 2:8), observing how they have grown in Christ. I’ve led people to Christ that I have had the honor of preaching at their funerals as well. There are others I have shared the gospel with and have lost touch with them. I often wonder, “Did they follow Jesus? Are they still following Him?”

In John 3, we are introduced to a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus. I like to call him “Nic at Night” because he came to Jesus at night (John 3:2). Nicodemus has a secret conversation about being born again because he was nervous about doing that in public, which could have led to persecution by his own (i.e. John 19:38). I believe Nicodemus wanted something more than religion, regulations, and rituals. Jesus met him where he was and offered him eternal life by being “born again” (John 3:3-8). While Jesus makes it clear that He is the one who came down from heaven (v. 13) and was sent by God for eternal life (vv. 14-17), He also draws a hard line in the sand by saying, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (v. 18). With all that said by Jesus, Nicodemus appears to be silent afterward. It leaves you wondering if Nicodemus believed and followed Jesus?

John gives us clues in his Gospel that I believe point to Nicodemus being converted to Christ and following Him. Nicodemus is mentioned two more times in John’s Gospel. He starts off curious about eternal life in John 3 and is found defending Jesus when we see him again in John 7. Jesus taught on living water (vv. 37-39), and those in attendance had differing views about who He was at that point. Some thought He was a prophet (v. 40). Some thought He was the Messiah (v. 41). Some disbelieved and were divided (vv. 42-43). Others wanted to kill Him (v. 44). The guards noticed how different Jesus was (v. 46), but the Pharisees began to use the Law against Him (vv. 49). They asked an interesting question in verse 48, “Have any of the rulers of the Pharisees believed in Him?” What was probably meant as a rhetorical question has one of their own answering. Nicodemus steps up, no longer in the secret of nighttime. In full view of the Pharisees, at risk of his leadership, livelihood, and even life, Nicodemus points out the fairness of the Law in a way that would be to Jesus’ advantage. Why would a Pharisee do this unless they were changed by Jesus, perhaps in a previous conversation (John 3)?

Nicodemus is seen once more after the crucifixion of Jesus, helping Joseph of Arimathaea, anoint and prepare the body of Jesus for burial. John 19:39-40 says, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred-pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” Not only has Nicodemus defended Jesus, he goes through the process of preparing Him for burial, something the disciples did not do as they had fled. The amount of costly spices (which were a typical amount for a king) and attention to a proper burial, I think, speak loudly to his love and devotion to Jesus – a true and tangible act of worship. While the Scriptures do not explicitly say Nicodemus believed, they do not say he did not either. I look at his actions and surmise as such. A Pharisee would not go to the cross and help in the burial of Jesus. I believe Nicodemus’ was born again. Sometimes we are quick to dismiss the faith-filled actions of certain people, pronouncing them religious, too-far gone, even damned, rather than trusting they sincerely followed Jesus and were saved by His grace through faith. Isn’t that how we were saved? May our fruit speak to our conversion. This was no longer a secret meeting or subtle defense. This was a man willing to forsake everything to care for Jesus. May we be found doing what Nicodemus did, growing from seeking, to advocating for, to worshipping Jesus.