Jesus Met Nicodemus Without
Judgement
The “Red Letter” Words of
Jesus
Day Twenty-Two
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we
know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that
You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be
born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be
born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” John
3:1-7 (NKJV)
Nicodemus, a wealthy, well-educated, highly respected member of the Sanhedrim, snuck around at night to meet with Jesus. Why? Perhaps fear caused him to do so since he had much to lose. According to John Gill’s commentary,* history proved Nicodemus ben Gorion was a man of great wealth and reputation.
Probably then, he did visit Jesus at night because of fear. He understood how his colleagues felt about Jesus and His miracles. He knew they were furious with Jesus for disrupting temple life when He threw out those who degraded His Father’s house (see John 2). He knew it could cost him everything, if his peers were aware of his clandestine meeting with Jesus. And yet, he also knew Jesus was called of God. Did he recognize Him as the Messiah? At that point, I don’t know. He did recognize Him as someone who came from God.
I love Jesus’ response to Nicodemus. Or maybe I should say lack of response. Jesus didn’t reprimand him for coming to Him at night. He didn’t scold him for his fear. Jesus saw the hunger in his heart as he sought out the truth of who Jesus was. Jesus’ response showed compassion toward a man who desired to draw closer to God.
Even though he snuck around at night to find answers to the longings of his spirit, Jesus met him there without judgement. Jesus saw the sinful condition of his soul and offered him hope without condemnation. You must be born again.
God meets us right where we are at too. We don’t have to get our act together to meet with Him. In fact, when I come “just as I am without one plea,” He changes me.
https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm
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