Standing in the Dark with the Light of the World

It seems a bit ironic that a Pharisee hid himself in the darkness to seek out the Light of the World.

Nicodemus is mentioned by name three times in the Bible, only in the book of John. In chapter three, we see Nicodemus is identified as a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. We also find he wanted to talk to Jesus, but was afraid to meet Him in the light of day, so he came at night.

It seems that Nicodemus didn't know exactly what to ask Jesus, so he just told what he observed about Jesus. “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.” It wasn't a question, yet it was. He was asking Jesus to validate His identity, hoping He was the one they were waiting for. Perhaps Nicodemus was looking for affirmation of his own righteousness, hoping his good works outweighed his bad. He wanted to please God.

Jesus answered the heart of the question with a seeming riddle, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” Nicodemus was understandably confused, but continued to seek an answer as his mind struggled to grasp what Jesus meant.

Jesus demonstrated patience as he explained to Nicodemus the difference between the physical and the spiritual birth, the physical realm and the spiritual realm. Jesus goes on to challenge Nicodemus' faith, remind him of Moses, and explain the prophetic. He then identifies Himself, offering hope as He tells of God's love and God's plan.

It is a bit surprising when you realize that, this early in His ministry, Jesus laid out God's plan of salvation so clearly. After laying the foundation of the unseen spiritual reality, He described His own deity. Then, by referencing Moses and the bronze snake, He foretold His own death, describing both the method and the purpose of it.

While Nicodemus was pursuing obedience to the Law, Jesus showed him that faith in God was the requirement to receive eternal life. It must have been quite startling to Nicodemus to hear that judgment was based on belief, not works. While his life centered on doing good deeds and his position focused on judging how others upheld the Law, he now learns that true belief in God is the essence of pleasing God.

Perhaps he began to recall Genesis 15 where God said that Abraham believed Him and it was counted to him as righteousness. Maybe he pondered how Moses put the bronze serpent on a pole and people only had to have the faith to look upon it in order to be saved.

In John 7, we find Jesus teaching during the Feast of Booths, declaring the authority of His message as coming from God. “If anyone desires to do God's will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself....Don't judge according to appearances, but judge with right judgment.” This caused many to wonder if Jesus was indeed the coming Messiah. The Pharisees answered them, “You aren’t also led astray, are you? Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees?”

Based on the response of the Pharisees, it seems that Nicodemus either continued to privately consider the identity of Jesus, or he followed secretly for a time. Yet, he speaks up here on Jesus' behalf, “Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?” In doing so, Nicodemus becomes the object of mockery by his peers.

A short time later, Jesus speaks to a group of Pharisees a message that reminded Nicodemus of their first conversation in the dark. Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Just as Jesus had told Nicodemus about those born of the Spirit coming and going as unseen like the wind, He said of Himself, “for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.”

Jesus had earlier told Nicodemus, “No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.” Now, He clarifies His identity to the group, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.”

The most well-known verse in Scripture, John 3:16, is referenced in John 8:24, “I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

Jesus finished by again foretelling His death on the cross. Something happened at this point to embolden Nicodemus in his devotion to follow Jesus. The evidence is found in John 19 after the death of Jesus.

After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.

Nicodemus was no longer hiding in the darkness with the Light of the World. He now shined that Light of the World to the darkness.

“This is the judgment,
that the light has come into the world,
and men loved the darkness rather than the light;
for their works were evil.

For everyone who does evil hates the light,
and doesn’t come to the light,
lest his works would be exposed.

But he who does the truth comes to the light,
that his works may be revealed,
that they have been done in God.”

John 3:19-21

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible in the public domain.