Recently I went with several friends from my Women’s Bible Study Group on a girl’s night out for dinner and a movie. We went to see “Son of God.” It was wonderful. For what appeared to be a very familiar subject, the producers were able to add details not often included in movies dealing with the life and ministry of Jesus. I saw more personal portrayals of the disciple Matthew, Mary Magdalene, and Pontius Pilate than I have seen before. I was particularly taken by the characterization of one of the pharisees, Nicodemus. He was only one of two religious authorities along with Joseph of Arimathea, that we know became followers of Jesus. As the story unfolds, we see that he is in close contact with the High Priest, Caiaphas. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. This is the same court that met at night to put Jesus on trial for blasphemy and then turned him over to the Romans to be crucified. Prior to this fateful night, Nicodemus had numerous opportunities to observe the teaching and the miracles of Jesus. While doing so he perceived that Jesus was no ordinary man. And he sought Him out in the secrecy of night to speak with Him. It is to Nicodemus that Jesus revealed God’s great plan, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” When Jesus was condemned by the court and was sent to Pontius Pilate, Nicodemus tried to put a stop to it. But there were too many other voices against Jesus that night for Nicodemus to be heard. Later we see Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in the group laying Jesus to rest in the tomb. The Bible doesn’t really say what happened with Nicodemus after the resurrection but I would surmise that his life was never the same again.
You would think that more of the religious folk of the time would have recognized Jesus but there were very few. For most, He was a threat, not an answer to their prayers for a deliverer. He didn’t meet their expectations. He didn’t come to make Himself a political king as they had hoped. But He came to become the King of their hearts. Unfortunately most of their hearts were too hardened to let Him in. But not Nicodemus’ heart. His heart was warmed by Jesus and he sought to learn more about Him. His decision to do so must have cost him dearly.
The great majority of people who thronged to Jesus were ordinary folk. Many were quite poor and few were of any influence. They had little or no material possessions. They had everything to gain and very little to lose from a worldly viewpoint. When a rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he could do to gain eternal life, Jesus told him there was one thing he lacked. He should sell his wealth, give it to the poor and follow Him. The young man couldn’t let go of his material wealth in order to gain a treasure that could not be bought. Maybe this was why Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. But he also added that anything is possible with God. Thank goodness for grace because otherwise I would be lost. I see myself in Nicodemus. By the world’s standards I am in the top 1% in material wealth, education and status along with many others in the United States. I don’t believe Jesus begrudges wealth when it is used to bless others. But it can be a stumbling block. When amassing material possessions becomes our goal, then that is our idol. We are told in the Ten Commandments to not worship idols. When we worship money rather than use it for good, we place it above God.
After Nicodemus chose to follow Jesus, I am sure he lost his position on the High Court and the prestige it brought him. Most of his friends and acquaintances would have seen him as foolish. His new friends would have been the motley crew of Jesus’ followers who were from all walks of life and social station. I wonder if his family believed with him or if Jesus became a divide between them. Nicodemus had much to give up. It would have been a cataclysmic change for him. But Jesus told him that he must be born again the night of their meeting. With the Spirit’s power he was a changed man never to be the same again.
I have not been asked to give up much for Jesus. If situations occurred in which I was asked to give up everything, could I? Would I be like the rich young ruler and walk away or would I boldly let go of it all as did Nicodemus? I understand how difficult it is to go through the eye of a needle. I count on Jesus’ words: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” So I will depend on God’s Spirit to move through me as it did with Nicodemus, no matter what the future holds.
