Nicodemus: The Model for All Seekers

In John’s Gospel we come across a character who is easily a likeness to anyone seeking spiritual or faith assurance. The Pharisee, Nicodemus, is a revered member of the Sanhedrin during the ministry of Jesus. The Pharisees made up a respected, prominent Jewish religious and political sect at the time of Jesus. They kept strict adherence to the Torah and oral traditions. They believed in the resurrection of the dead, the afterlife, angels, and divine providence. However, they saw Jesus as a blasphemer, lawbreaker, and false prophet. They spent their days in or around the Temple and cared for the Temple’s needs. 

Sadducees were a wealthy class, an aristocratic sect and political party. They held lofty positions in the Temple hierarchy mostly as high priests. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead or of angels or even the afterlife. The Sadducees and Pharisees were very much opposed to one another on most issues making their combined distrust of Jesus an exception.

The Sanhedrin made up the Supreme Jewish Council and was the highest court in Jerusalem. They had 71 members including high priests, elders and scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. They governed religious, civil, and criminal affairs under Roman supervision, but they did not have the authority to execute. 

Knowing the three camps of people Jesus will confront during his passion is very helpful but it is also helpful in understanding another person and his part in the narrative unfolding this week. Nicodemus was a Doctor of the Law as well as a Pharisee. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Therefore, he was highly respected among Pharisees and Sadducees. He knew of Jesus from afar and he was deeply aware of teachings of his faith about the coming of a Messiah; he was learned and curious. Something began to stir in Nicodemus; he had heard some of Jesus’s teaching and found it eerily similar to the great Rabbi Hillel, the historically open-minded Pharisee who preached love and charity over law and punishment. Could this Jesus be the Messiah?

I picture Nicodemus sometimes listening from outside the circles gathered around Jesus as he taught the crowds. But to formally speak with him? That would have been dangerous; Nicodemus is gathering information. The Apostle John does not tell us how arrangements were made for Nicodemus and Jesus to converse, but he devotes a whole chapter of the discourse of their secret meeting in his Gospel. In the streamed series of The Chosen, Nicodemus waits at night behind a pillar as Jesus approaches; he keeps his distance from the torch lights and small fires that light the streets and buildings. He is noticeably nervous. But he cannot resist. He needs to know and something is stirring deep in his soul. In answering the simple questions Nicodemus asks, Jesus gives a lesson on the importance of listening to the Spirit, of giving testimony of one’s faith, of walking in the light. We don’t know how the session ended between the two men, but we do know that Nicodemus emerges from the shadows two more times in John’s Gospel. When Jesus is brought to the Sanhedrin before his death, Nicodemus pleads that they listen to him as he asks, “Does our law condemn a man without hearing from him first?” and finally on Good Friday Nicodemus emerges from the shadows to assist in the burial of Jesus.

Reflection

There are people who, for one reason or another, have lost the rudder of their faith and spirituality and feel a hunger for something more out of life. They try to convince themselves that they do not need a church community, nor times for prayer and meditation. They say that they pray to God privately and God knows the condition of their souls and what they need. All of this is true. But is it enough? Does it make them happier, more peaceful? If we stop seeking more meaning in life, more spirituality, we cannot be as happy or as peaceful as God wants us to be. 

If we become honest seekers, we will develop a deeper capacity for a love that only God can fill. Start like Nicodemus. Meet Jesus in the dark interior of your soul or even in your church before services start. Talk to him. Listen to him. Then move to becoming a witness to your faith within family and associates. And finally, meet him on Calvary through the suffering people of our world.

Each of us is a Nicodemus at one time or another. We choose to remain in hiding. We’d rather meet Jesus in secret. We do not have time to learn more about a faith we have or feel called to investigate. 

Let’s try this Holy Week to travel deeper into whatever faith or prayer life we are seeking. Take it slowly. Become a seeker. Consider these penetrating words from Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God.

Personal note: Thank you for all your prayers and messages. I had the final surgery on my eye which appears to be successful. I still cannot see completely but I have hope.