Nicodemus: From Confusion to Conversion
09/14/10 05:28 Filed in: Faith
Nicodemus is, in a sense, a model for all of us who seek enlightenment in our darkest moments by going to the foot of the cross.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3: 13-17)
Michelangelo was so inspired by the way Nicodemus emerged from the darkness into the light that he decided to make the Pharisee one of the key figures in the sculpture that he created for his own grave site. The great artist finished the statue just weeks before he died and, when the it was unveiled, everyone immediately recognized that the face of Nicodemus was the face of Michelangelo. It is considered one of Michelangelo's greatest works.
We first meet Nicodemus when he comes to Jesus as a troubled man. He has heard Jesus preach. He has seen His miracles. And yet, he still harbors doubts. And so, he turns to Jesus, as we so often do, in the dead of a sleepless night. Nicodemus is a member of the Sanhedrin, one of the 70 most powerful men in Israel – the sort of man that others look to for answers. But on this night, he is dumbfounded when he hears Jesus say he must be born again in water and the spirit.
"How can these things be?" Nicodemus asks. He can't let go of his doubts. He falls silent and we hear nothing more from him on this particular night. But later in John's Gospel, Nicodemus appears on the scene – once again late at night. The Sanhedrin has been called into special session to decide Jesus' fate. As Nicodemus listens to his fellow Pharisees calling for Christ's crucifixion, he challenges the powers that be.
"Does our law," he asks, "condemn anyone without first hearing from him to find out what he is doing?"
The others mock him and shout him down, saying, "Are you from Galilee, too?"
Nicodemus is not so easily intimidated. At long last, he has seen the light. He realizes what Jesus meant when He said:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life."
After Jesus has been crucified and his disciples have abandoned Him, it is Nicodemus and his friend, Joseph of Aramathea who go to the foot of the cross to console Mary and John. Then Nicodemus steps forward and asks for and receives permission to give Jesus a suitable burial.
Nicodemus is, in a sense, a model for all of us who seek enlightenment in our darkest moments by going to the foot of the cross.
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