PROFILE | NICODEMUS – SEEKER OF GOD

1. Profile of Sanhedrin Member Nicodemus

a) Every seeker has a deep feeling that there must be something more to life, a great truth to be discovered. That was the case with Nicodemus, who came to Jesus Christ at night because he suspected this young teacher might be the Messiah promised to Israel by God.

b) Nicodemus learned that he must be born again, and he was. Together with his friend Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus lovingly cared for the body of the crucified Savior, placing it in Joseph's tomb. Nicodemus is a model of faith and courage for all Christians to follow.

2. Nicodemus' Accomplishments

a) Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a leader of the Jewish people. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the high court in Israel.

b) He stood up for Jesus when the Pharisees were conspiring against him: 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?" (John 7:50-51, NIV)

c) He helped Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb, at great risk to his safety and reputation.

e) Nicodemus also donated 75 pounds of expensive myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus' body after Jesus died.

3. Nicodemus' Strengths

a) Nicodemus had a wise, inquiring mind. He was not satisfied with the legalism of the Pharisees.

b) He had great courage. He personally sought out Jesus to ask questions and get the truth directly from Jesus' mouth.

c) He also defied the Sanhedrin and Pharisees by treating Jesus' body with dignity and assuring that he received a proper burial.

4. Nicodemus' Weakness

a) When he first sought out Jesus, Nicodemus went at night, so no one would see him. He was afraid of what might happen if he spoke to Jesus in broad daylight, where people might report him.

5. Life Lessons

a) Nicodemus would not rest until he found the truth. He wanted badly to understand, and he sensed that Jesus had the answer. After he became a follower, his life was changed forever. He never hid his faith in Jesus again. Jesus is the source of all truth, the meaning of life. When we are born again, as Nicodemus was, we should never forget that we have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life because of Christ's sacrifice for us.

6. Referenced in the Bible

a) John 3:1-21, John 7:50-52, John 19:38-42.

7. Occupation

a) Pharisee, Sanhedrin member.

8. Key Verses

John 3:3-4
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" (NIV)

John 3:16-17
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV)