Pastor column: Nicodemus is an example of being fully invested

The man named Nicodemus appears only three times in the New Testament. Each occasion reveals his progress in his relationship with Jesus − from an inquirer to a convert to a devoted disciple.

Nicodemus first came to Jesus as an Interested Inquirer. John Chapter 3 tells us, “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council” (vs. 1). Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking to understand the Lord’s mission and message.

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 ignores the pious platitudes and addresses the need of Nicodemus's heart. He tells Nicodemus that his religion isn't sufficient to save his soul. He said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (vs. 2-3).

Jesus is saying the key to receiving salvation is simple − believe. Religion tries to make it difficult to be made right with God. Religion makes it impossible to be saved. Jesus, on the other hand, makes it so simple; you can be saved by the grace of God.

Come to Him and believe in Him

How much simpler could God have made it? All He asks the sinner to do is come to Him and believe Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). After 2,000 years, nothing has changed! Sinners are still saved by simply believing in Jesus and coming to Him by faith.

Secondly, Nicodemus was a Confessing Convert. It’s evident that he believed and received the gospel (John 3:16) by defending Jesus in the midst of his peers as they were seeking to arrest and imprison the Lord. He, who was one of their own asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (John 7:50-51). Nicodemus was a new convert identifying him with Jesus, in the minds of his peers.

Finally, Nicodemus was a Devoted Disciple. Joseph of Arimathea was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes − about 75 pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it with the spices. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden with a new tomb and because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there (John 19:39-42). Nicodemus had progressed to be a devoted disciple.

Nicodemus is an example of being “fully invested” — totally surrendered and submitted to Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Is the evidence of being “fully invested” in Jesus real and reflective of your life?

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Nicodemus is an example of being fully invested in Jesus