OceanSide church of Christ

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NICODEMUS:

A Jewish Leader with A Different Heart

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In the days of Jesus, there were four main sects of the Jews among the religious leaders:  the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots.  They composed about 5% of the population.

 

B.      The Sanhedrin Court was composed of 71 men. 

1.      They were overseen by the “zugot” which means “pair.”  One of these men was usually the high priest.

2.      Most of the Sanhedrin was composed of the Sadducees and Pharisees.

 

C.     These religious leaders found themselves at odds with Jesus very quickly.

1.      His teachings exposed their sin, their man-made traditions, and their hypocrisy.

2.      He was man of whom they were extremely jealous because of the favor He gained with the people.

3.      In time, they developed one mission, to destroy Jesus (Mark 14:1). 

 

D.    There were some among the Jewish leaders, however, who believed in Jesus.  John reveals some interesting information about them (John 12:42-43).

 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

 

E.      We know the names of two of the Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus, Joseph and Nicodemus.

1.      If they ever confessed the Christ publically, we are not told about it.

2.      In this lesson, we want to look at one of these men, Nicodemus. 

3.      The title of our lesson is:  “A Jewish Leader with A Different Heart.”

 

I.                   A LEADER WITH HONESTY

 

A.    The first time we meet Nicodemus is in John 3:1.

 

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

 

1.      The Pharisees were the strictest sect of the Jews.  They, along with the scribes, were the bitterest enemies of Jesus.

2.      The name “Nicodemus” means “conqueror” or “victorious among his people.”

 

B.      In the next verse, we are told:  “The same came to Jesus by night…” (John 3:2a).

1.      We are not told the reason why he came by night.

2.      Many believe he did so because he was fearful of what his fellow Pharisees might say about his visiting Jesus.

 

C.     In his first words to Jesus, he reveals his honesty (John 3:2b).

 

…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.

 

1.      There are several affirmations that Nicodemus makes in these words.

a.      He affirms Jesus is a rabbi.

b.      He affirms that the works of Jesus were miracles.

c.       He affirms that God was with Jesus.

d.      He affirms that His works prove that He is a teacher come from God.

2.      These were admissions that most of the Jewish leaders refused to make (John 12:37).

 

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.

 

D.    Honesty is one of the key aspects in a man’s relationship with God.

1.      He must be honest about himself and his spiritual condition before God.

2.      He must be honest about the person of Jesus Christ.

3.      He must be honest about what the Word of God requires him to do.

4.      Luke 8:15

 

But that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

 

II.                A LEADER WHO DEMANDED JUSTICE

 

A.    During His ministry, Jesus had a profound impact upon the common people.  In John 7:31, we read:  “And many of the people believed on him…”

 

B.      Because of His popularity and all the comments being made about Him, “the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him” (John 7:32).

 

C.     When they returned, they came without the Christ.  When asked why, they responded:  “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46).

 

D.    The Pharisees’ response (John 7:47-49)

 

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?  Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?  but this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

 

1.      In these words, Nicodemus could detect condemnation.

2.      Since the rulers and Pharisees had not believed on Jesus, the things that he was saying must be false.

3.      NOTE:  This was said even though Jesus had not been charged of any crime, nor had He stood in judgment.

4.      Thus, Nicodemus asked a question (John 7:51).

 

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

 

a.      Nicodemus knew that it did not.  Thus, this was a rhetorical question.

b.      He was exposing the injustice of these supposed “men of the Law.”

 

E.      All leaders are to be fair and just in all they do (Mic. 6:8).

 

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

1.      This is difficult to do when the heart is filled with fear.

2.      This is difficult to do when the heart is filled with anger.

3.      This is difficult to do when the heart is filled with envy.

4.      This is difficult to do when the heart is filled hatred.

 

III.             A LEADER WITH COMPASSION

 

A.    There is one final snapshot that we have of Nicodemus in the Scriptures. 

 

B.      The event happens immediately after the death of Jesus Christ.

1.      Jesus died at about 3:00 p.m.

2.      At 6:00 p.m., the Sabbath and the Passover were to begin.

3.      Jesus’ body could not remain on the cross overnight or the Law of Moses would be violated (Deut. 21:22-23).

4.      The question:  Who was going to take the body of Jesus down from the cross?

 

C.     There was one man who went to Pilate and craved the body of Jesus (Mark 15:43).

1.      His name was Joseph.

2.      He happened to be a ruler of the Jews also.

3.      The Bible refers to him as a disciple of Jesus Christ (Matt. 27:57).

 

D.    Another man assisted Joseph. 

1.      His name was Nicodemus.

2.      Nicodemus provided myrrh and aloes in which to wrap Jesus’ body before placing it in the tomb (John 19:39-42).

 

And there came also Nicodemus, (which at the first came to Jesus by night,) and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a 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.  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid.  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.

 

E.      Nicodemus, along with Joseph, manifested a very important trait of leadership, compassion.

1.      Compassion involves the ability to suffer with another.

2.      Compassion moves us to show acts of mercy to another when others will not.

3.      The Bible exhorts us to have compassion as God’s children (I Pet. 3:8).

 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Nicodemus was a ruler among the Jews. 

 

B.      He was a true leader because he manifested qualities other rulers of the Jews did not.

1.      He was honest.

2.      He was just.

3.      He was compassionate.

 

C.     Every leader needs to try to implement these same qualities in his/her ministry before others.

D.    The Bible never mentions Nicodemus again after the burial of Jesus.  It is hoped that he shed the shackles of Judaism and publically confessed his faith in Jesus Christ.  We pray that he also submitted to the New Birth about which Jesus spoke to him so vividly in John 3:3-5.