By Alfred Cuellar
Nicodemus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Naqdimon. It means ruler of the people. Another form of this name is Nicolatians mentioned in (Rev. 2:6; 2:15) meaning ruler of the laity. Nicodemus is mentioned three times outside of the synoptic Gospels. He is found only in the fourth Gospel of John. He is also mentioned outside of the biblical narrative in the Jewish Talmud (Jewish Encyclopedia V: 9 pg. 299).
Nicodemus was a prominent Jewish leader; he was a Pharisee of the strictest form of Judaism and belonged to the ruling council of Israel, the Sanhedrin. He was a man of significant wealth (judging from John 19:39). Nicodemus was also a Rabbi, mentioned by Jesus as “The Rabbi of Israel” in John 3:10.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit three times identifies Nicodemus as the one who came to Jesus by night (John 3:2; 7:50; 19:39). The Holy Spirit is identifying metaphorically his spiritual condition. This is the condition that “man” is found before encountering the living God. No one can say I walk in the light unless they have walked in darkness (John 3:19). We see clearly the deity of Jesus in the preceding chapter (John 2: 24-25). He knows what is in the heart of man, something attributed only belonging to God (Psalm 94:11).
Jesus immediately goes into his discourse of the new birth and rebukes Nicodemus for not understanding the spiritual meaning (John 3:10). Jesus expected Nicodemus to know these things. The born again experience is mentioned in the pages of the Old Testament, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean… a new heart will I put within you…I will put My Spirit within you …you shall be My people and I will be your God” (Ezk. 36:25-28). This is the promise of the New Covenant; “I will make a new covenant…I will put my law…write it in their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people…and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer. 31:31-34).
It’s All in the Heart
We need the word of God that cleanses us, that sanctifies us. The word of God is spoken in the scriptures as water that cleanses and purifies when it enters into our heart. (Psalm 119:9; Num. 8:7; John 15:3; Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet.1:23). A twofold explanation of the new birth, of water and the Spirit: the symbolic language application of water was a form of expression that the degenerated man needed a thorough spiritual purification. This happens when The Holy Spirit stirs the heart of the ones where the Word of God has entered in.
Lord, I Need You
Nicodemus was a man who had everything: social, religious, political and economic status above and beyond your normal Israelite, yet the man was in spiritual darkness when confronted with the truth. However, our God is full of compassion, mercy and longsuffering. We see this in the process of Nicodemus’ spiritual journey. Something for us that we should to take notice of and learn from.
From Dark to Light
Nicodemus started in darkness in John 3:9, “How can these things be?” He next appeared defending Jesus among the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51) “Does our law judge any man, before it hear him…?” He understood spiritual truth and the significance of who Jesus says He is. His final scene is at the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. He openly participated in showing love and kindness to the body of Jesus together with Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-40). He embraced the truth of who Jesus is and shows his faith by his works. He was no longer in darkness but had come to the Light of The Son of God.
I’m sure the words of Jesus resonated while Nicodemus saw Jesus on Calvary’s cross, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
In The End
It’s not how you start your spiritual journey that counts, but how you finish that matters.
All Word and no Spirit you dry up, all Spirit and no Word you blow up. But the Spirit and the Word you grow up.
Are you getting enough Spirit and Word daily?
