05.12. Nicodemus
Nicodemus "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
There are but three incidents given us with reference to Nicodemus, and these are all found in the Gospel of John. But they throw great light upon his course. They set him before us as an example of growth in grace, and of increase in the knowledge and love of the Savior. In John 3:1-36, we have his first lesson in the school of the great Teacher. We may suppose that as one of the Pharisees, he would be a moral man, a learned man, in a sense a religious man. Like Saul of Tarsus, he would be zealous for the law, and blameless in all its ordinances. For instruction he comes to Christ, being persuaded by the miracles that had been wrought, that Christ could be none other than a messenger sent of God. He comes, however, fearful of the reproach that he might incur. That he came by night was not merely because there might then be a better opportunity for converse, but because he dreaded being known as a follower of Jesus. "The one that came to Jesus by night," is the remark that the Evangelist always attaches to his name. But who has despised the day of small things? Jesus at least never does. He does not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. The least of good, does He ever nourish — lifting up the hands that hang down, and strengthening the feeble knees.
He receives Nicodemus, and teaches him the way of life. He puts before him the absolute necessity of a new birth. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the spirit is spirit." "Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again." Our evil hearts, our corrupt natures, must by the Spirit’s grace be cleansed and renewed. There is so much of deadly sin concealed within the heart, even of the most amiable and gentle, that nothing less than the Holy Spirit — first regenerating and then perpetually renewing the soul — can fit us for the pure joys of the eternal world. "Sin is like the poison in a serpent’s fang, or a wasp’s sting — constantly reproducing itself. You may remove the deadly juice from the cup of a noxious flower — but if you go back next day the cup has gathered its poison again. Our hearts are such cups. Day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, they are seeking to refill themselves with what God hates. Only the Holy Spirit’s unceasing influence is sufficient to empty them of sin, and fill them with holiness." George Wilson But Jesus sets before the inquirer another truth. He has spoken words of solemn warning — now He speaks to him words of hope and promise. He tells him of the Father’s love. He declares that He Himself has come to be lifted up, as the brazen serpent of old, the remedy for the spiritual sicknesses of men. He opens wide the door to all who will confide in His salvation. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The seed is cast into the ground, how will it grow? Will the convictions that have begun to work in the heart of Nicodemus pass away — or will he retain the truth and cleave to it? Will he be as the wayside or rocky ground hearers — or as the good ground hearer who bears fruit a hundredfold?
Let us see? Turn to John 7:50-52. Two years have passed away since that eventful night; and it is clear that the seed has been taking root, and is now appearing: first the blade — as it shall afterward the ear and the full corn in the ear. The officers sent by the chief priests refuse to lay hands on Christ, so greatly had His words taken hold upon them. Then the Pharisees say to them, "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed on Him? But this people who knows not the law are cursed." No longer Nicodemus can be silent. He ventures a remark. True, it was not a very strong one — yet it required no small amount of courage to make it. He showed them that there was at least one ruler, one Pharisee who would not condemn Christ. He was not afraid to bring down suspicion and envy upon himself. "Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them: ’Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?’" John 7:50-52
Blessed are they who, like this Jewish ruler, hear the Word of God and keep it. With too many, every trace of it, even where for a moment interest has been excited, soon fades from the memory. Christ has said, "If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed — and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Another year passes by. Again Nicodemus is brought before us. And now very marked is the advance that he has made. He is no more the timid inquirer, no more the one who ventures with trembling a word on behalf of the Master, but the bold and devoted disciple. It was at the time when all looked the darkest. The enemy has triumphed — Christ is crucified — the disciples have fled — Judas has betrayed Him, and Peter denied Him — yet even then Nicodemus proves his faith and love. He unites with Joseph of Arimathea in going in boldly and asking for the body of Jesus. He brings a costly gift, a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. He assists Joseph in carrying the precious body of our Lord, and laying it in the new sepulcher.
What a glorious triumph of faith!
How truly in him were the words fulfilled that "the last should be first." When we might have looked for Peter or John or James to come forward — we hear nothing of them; but these two men, Joseph and Nicodemus, hitherto secret disciples, now stand out fearlessly that they may honor Him whom their associates have despised and rejected. When least we expect it, does God raise up those who confess the name of His Son.
Amidst all the mockery that greets His ear on the cross, there is but one voice heard to declare His innocence and His kingly majesty — it is that of a criminal — the thief that hung beside Him. And when the spirit has fled and all is over, when all others have fallen back — those to our thoughts are most unlikely, claim the privilege of carrying Jesus to the tomb.
Nicodemus thus affords a bright example to those that are setting their face Zionward. Nothing is impossible with God. Grace can uphold the weakest, and give boldness to the most fearful. Thus the righteous holds on his way, and he who has clean hands becomes stronger and stronger. Doubtless Nicodemus must have been much in prayer, he must have hidden the Word of Christ deep within his heart; thus the Spirit was given, and from a little child in the Divine life, he grew into the fullness of the stature of Christ.
Sometimes we see the very reverse of this — those promising much at an early stage of the Christian life, yet after a while growing cold and faithless, leaving their first love, grieving the Spirit, and thus losing much of the peace and joy which once they possessed. In his valuable work on Ancient History, Sir Henry Rawlinson tells of the two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. He speaks of the latter losing much of its waters in the marshy lands through which it flows, and reaching the point of junction with the Tigris far less in bulk than during many parts of its previous course. The sister stream, however, increases the bulk of its waters as it proceeds. Receiving tributaries on either side, and losing comparatively little, it flows with deeper current as it reaches the mouth.
Often do we find the lives of two people in Christ’s Church, differing as much as the course of these two rivers. In the one there is a painful DECREASE in zeal, spirituality, and usefulness. The strength is drawn off into other channels. Worldly interests, the allurements and gratifications which earth affords, family cares and the like — steal away the best of the heart’s affections. Watch such a one after the interval of a year or two has passed, and it is not difficult to perceive there is less of Christ, less of a heavenly mind, less of a tender concern for the soul’s of others, and for the welfare of Christ’s Church.
What a mournful history is that of King Solomon! In his infancy called Jedidiah, the beloved of the Lord; upon his entrance to the kingdom, the Lord giving to him so gracious a promise of wisdom, as also of temporal blessings — yet leaving behind, as the chief lesson of his life, his witness to the utter vanity of those things on account of which he had forsaken the God of his father. But take the other picture. There may be by God’s grace, a deepening of the Divine life in the soul, there may be an ADVANCE as years go on. As with Nicodemus, experience of God’s love may expand the heart. There may be an ever-deepening humility through the increase of self-knowledge. There may be an ever-deepening faith and love through the increase of the knowledge of Christ. Through watchfulness and prayer, grace already received may be held fast. Tributary springs may bring in fresh supplies of the water of life. Watering others — a blessing returns to themselves. Praying for others, others likewise pray for them.
Careful, painstaking study of Holy Scripture,
meditation upon its truths,
the reading of sound practical Christian books,
incessant supplication for the Holy Spirit,
a believing use of Divine ordinances,
the faithful reception of the Lord’s Supper —
are so many branch streams that bring in from time to time fresh measures of heavenly grace. Thus the Divine life in the soul prospers, and when all on earth is over, an abundant entrance is ministered into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let me here press the inquiry upon each of those into whose hands these pages may fall — Which river does your course most resemble? What says your own conscience? Is there indeed a growth in grace? Do the things of the present life appear less to you — and the things beyond as all-important? Does Holy Scripture open out to you, even in its simplest portions, precious views of Divine truth? Is there a growing sensitiveness at the approach of sin? Is there more submission to the will of God? Is there a closer cleaving to the Friend of sinners? To be content without this is most perilous. It implies that the pulse is very low, even if life yet remains. It calls for an immediate return to the Fountain of living waters. "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain which are ready to die — for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you."
Come nearer — nearer still!
Let not Your light depart;
Bend, break this stubborn will,
Dissolve this iron heart!
Less wayward let me be,
More pliable and mild;
In glad simplicity,
More like a truthful child.
Riper and riper now
Each hour let me become,
Less fond of things below,
More fit for such a home.
Leave nothing that is unfit;
Of all that is my own
Strip me; and so complete
My training for Your throne!