We are now looking at the top ten characters in the New Testament ignoring Jesus and the disciples. At number 7 is Nicodemus.
Nicodemus in the bible
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus – John 3:1-3
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders – John 7:50-51
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?
The Burial of Jesus – John 19:38-39
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
This must have been written about by every theologian – so what can I add?
As we can see Nicodemus is mentioned three times in the bible, it is interesting to see how the story progresses. The first time Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night with a question, he wants to know more. The second time is when the Jewish leaders are worried about the effect Jesus was having on the people, here Nicodemus speaks up for Jesus. Finally after Jesus is crucified he goes with Joseph to anoint the body and place it in the tomb.
We see how he changed, he was initially frightened and ended up standing up for Jesus when the disciples had fled.