The Religious and Respected Sinner Who Needed to be "Born-Again"

Nicodemas was a rabbi and ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee, and member of the Sanhedrin.

Because of his respected position in Jerusalem, we find him coming to Jesus by night . . . perhaps so no one would know that he didn't have all the answers . . . after all, he was a rabbi.

Jesus ignored Nicodemus' small talk and compliment and got right to the heart of the issue:

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemas, a ruler of the Jews;  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.  Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  John 3:1-3

I like what my son Chris Anderson says about Jesus' comment to Nicodemas:  "You're a spiritual corpse, Rabbi.  You're dead, and you need new life."

Chris has written a book about the Samaritan woman entitled "The God Who Satisfies." 

In his book, Chris paints a wonderful picture of the contrast between Nicodemus (John chapter 3) and the Samaritan Woman: (John chapter 4)

"The two couldn't be more different.  They represent the poles of society:

  He is a Jew.  She's a Samaritan.

  He's a man.  She's a woman.

  He respected as "the teacher in Israel" / She's reviled as an outcast even in Samaria.

  He's impeccably educated.  She's ignorant.

  He's wealthy.  She's impoverished.

  He' famous.  She'l infamous.

  He's outwardly righteous.  She's outright rebellious.

Still, the Lord Jesus treats them exactly the same.  He looks past gender, race, religion, and social standing, and He sees two sinners.  The rabbi was as lost as the rebel.  The serious Pharisee was no better than the serial divorcee.  That's what Jesus means when He tells Nicodemus, 'You must be born again.'  That may sound lofty, but what it really means is this:  'You're a spiritual corpse, Rabbi.  You're dead, and you need new life."

This is a profound lesson.  It speaks of all of us, whether we relate more to self-righteous Nicodemus or the unrighteous woman at the well.  The lesson is this:  No one is too holy to need God's grace or too lowly to receive it.

If ever anyone were beyond the need of grace, Necodemus would be the person.  And if ever anyone were beyond the reach of grace, the Samaritan woman would be that person.  Yet, Jesus told both the lofty Jew and the lowly Samaritan of their spiritual needs."     

Nicodemus and the unnamed Samaritan woman both responded to Jesus' words and became a followers of Christ . . . learners . . . disciples . . . servants!

The next time we read about Nicodemus, we find him defending Christ in the Sanhedrin as they were seeking to falsly accuse and condemn Him  -- "Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them), Doth our law judge any man before it hears him, and know what he doeth?"  John 7:50-51

But the real evidence of Nicodemus being "born-again" and having genuine faith in Jesus is seen at the time of the crucifixion:  "And after this Joseph, of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus . . . besought Pilate for the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave.  He came, therefore, and took the body of Jesus.  And there came also Nicodemus, who 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 Jews is to bury.  Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher in which was never man yet laid.  There laid they Jesus, therefore, because of  the Jew's preparation day; for the sepulcher was near at hand."  John 19:38-42

Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea were willing to touch Jesus' body, thereby ceremonially defiling themselves so that they would be considered "unclean" for seven days and would not be able to take part in the Passover Feast and Feasts of Unleavened Bread.  (Numbers 19:11)

When people are changed by the power of the gospel, ritual is no longer important to them . . . they had found a living relationship with the Son of God and that was truly satisfying and sufficient!

You can have that same eternal relationship with God through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ . . . He died as the Sacrificial Lamb in full payment for all of your sins.  Believe in Him . . . pray and ask Him to be your Savior today!  (John 1:12,  3:16,  3:36,  5:24)

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