Learning from a Pharisee

Kenny Song

All of us are familiar with the Pharisees during Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had very little good things to say about them. He called them brood of vipers, blind guides, fools, whitewashed tombs, dead men’s bones, hypocrites! And the feelings were mutual, they hated Jesus. They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income. The Pharisees had brokered a rather uneasy peace between the powers of Rome, and their own people. They were comfortable with the arrangement. His popularity, His talk of the kingdom, His affirmation that He was in fact the Messiah, this threatened the uneasy peace they have with the Romans.

So the question this morning is this. Is there anything good we can learn from a Pharisee? We learnt from many biblical heroes, but a Pharisee? Someone our Lord have called snakes and hypocrites?

When I was a young Christian, I didn’t quite immediately believe everything. This is because I am naturally a very logical person who likes to reason things. I ask questions. I am quite an inquisitive person. I guess maybe that’s why I am in the creative industry. I struggled with creation, theory of evolution, and even the authority of the bible. 

But God is faithful and he sent Christians who helped me addressed these questions. I began to realise this, God cannot be found or discovered using only the human intellect. Jesus said we are blind to the truth. It is the Holy Spirit in us that will teach us and guide us to all truth. Things of God must be spiritually discerned and truth as revealed by God. 

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

That is the reason why I can relate to this Pharisee. He had an inquisitive mind and a searching heart. He wanted to know more. Do you know who this Pharisee is?

Nicodemus. We are going to take a walk back into history some 2,000 years ago. I want each of us to imagine standing as an observer what went on in the life of Nicodemus. Right there in Jerusalem.

Who is this Nicodemus? He was Jerusalem's most outstanding Bible teacher and a member of the Jewish Ruling Council, or a member of the Sanhedrin. Only the High Priest gained more recognition in the capital city than Nicodemus. Yet, despite all his learning and privileges, he did not know God. He knew about God, but he did not know him. And as we listen to Jesus engage this man in conversation the darkness in his soul quickly becomes apparent. 

To appreciate the whole picture lets read from John 2:23 right through to John 3:2.

Now while he [Jesus] was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Why did Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night? We can only speculate about the reason  - maybe out of fear of being seen, or simply to get enough time alone with Jesus to ask all the questions on his heart. Jesus however had no difficulty in discerning Nicodemus’ motive - for Jesus knew all men. Jesus, fully aware of the motives of Nicodemus’ heart, gave him the new truth relevant to his need. A truth that would transform Nicodemus life (and ours) forever.

There are 3 separate account of Nicodemus in the book of John and we are going to see how Nicodemus was progressively different with each passing passage. 

New Truth

John 3:3-73 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Nicodemus was not just a Pharisee but also a member of the Jewish ruling council. The Pharisees were no friends of Jesus (John 7:31-32, 46-48; John 8:1-4; John 9:12-14). His teachings and lifestyle did not make them look good.

When we live our life the right we will make friends as well as enemies. Not everyone will appreciate your godliness but all will observe it. Some will be challenged and take positive steps to modify their way of living, others will be offended at the challenge your life poses to them. Witnessing is a way of life not merely a way with words. Your good conduct always leaves an impact on the people you encounter.

It is interesting to note how Nicodemus addressed Jesus "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Who were the “we” that Nicodemus was referring to?

Well, looking at it in context the “we” were the Pharisees - members and probably some of the rulers of the council who secretly acknowledged the authority of Jesus. People too proud to accept that they were wrong.

You can imagine Nicodemus’ heart burning within him as he had been listening to Jesus in the past. He was probably standing in the crowd of the Pharisees as they argued with Jesus. Yet deep within him he knew that Jesus was speaking the truth. Nicodemus was probably the one who brought up the conversation about Jesus among the Pharisees when they were in private. Together they discussed the things they had heard and the miracles they had witnessed. A few of them privately admitted that God was with this man. How else could he have performed the miracles they had seen?

Yet hearing and seeing the truth from a intellect point of view does not bring salvation. Nicodemus knew that something was missing. He had to see Jesus in person to sort things out.

There are some things you will never receive from Jesus in the crowd. You have to pay him a private visit. In public we can all listen to the truth, but it is in the privacy of our heart that the real changes happen. Change comes when you have a personal encounter with God, not a public experience in the church. Someone said, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a mechanic." 

Millions today are familiar with the phrase “you must be born again”, thanks to the private discussion Nicodemus had with Jesus. Nicodemus came to Jesus thinking that he knew who Jesus was. He went away with new truth. Nicodemus had an encounter with the truth. The next time we come across Nicodemus we notice the new character. Education, culture and science may change us but only grace can transform us.

If we are to grow, like Nicodemus, we need to admit we need help, and seek Jesus for the grace to make the change.

The “we” mindset of Nicodemus may provide a hedge to hide behind but it will not shield us from the truth. Nicodemus came to Jesus with a worldview dictated by those around him. “We know you are a teacher who has come from God” were Nicodemus first words to Jesus. The “we” represented the combined views and considerations of those Pharisees who secretly acknowledged Jesus as “a teacher who has come from God”. Yet this view, despite the truth it contained, was woefully inadequate, for Jesus was much more than a teacher.

Nicodemus view of Jesus was developed by his deliberations and reasoning with his colleagues. The views of those around him had dictated his understanding of God - for Jesus is God.

Who dictates the views that you hold about life and God? Is it common sense or just the most popular opinion? Have we made a serious study of what the word of God says about things like - salvation, tithing, authority in the home and church, ethics, accountability, money, sacrificial living, worship of God and such like. Or are we just holding unto the “we” view.

Notice that Jesus did not hesitate in taking Nicodemus further down the narrow road of truth - “no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again”, was Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus’ supposed compliment. Knowing Jesus as a teacher was good, yet far from enough.

Nicodemus learnt a truth that transformed him. He learnt it in the privacy of his heart. Nicodemus might have come by dark but he found the light.

New Character

The next time we see Nicodemus it is during the day. The temple guards had been sent to arrest Jesus but returned empty handed to the religious rulers of the people. Among the rulers was Nicodemus. He was still a discreet disciple. We read the account in John 7:45-52

Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?" 

"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.

"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law - there is a curse on them."

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"

They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.

Notice the irony here. The Pharisees accuse the temple guards of being stupid and mislead. Verses 47 to 49 provide the climax of this episode - the Pharisees confidently declare that none of the Pharisees, the supposed learned ones, have believed in Jesus, hence the ignorant Jews on the street should not either. Sitting in their midst is Nicodemus, a believer in Jesus who has still not found the courage to openly expose his faith.

In verse 50 he finally plucks up the courage to clear his throat and speak up - "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" Nicodemus declares, rather gingerly. The reply of his colleagues show the disdain they have for Jesus. No wonder Nicodemus is keeping his faith to himself.

Yet, in the midst of all this we see a changed character. The Nicodemus who went to Jesus by night is now confident enough to speak up for Jesus in public. The truth has given him a new boldness and confidence. Here is not a man we should sneer at but learn from. Has the truth of the gospel changed your worldview?

Nicodemus was no longer part of the “we” team. The opinions of his colleagues no longer defined his own. He was taking a different stand from them. The refining of our character begins in our thinking. Nicodemus was on the right direction. Romans 12:2 was working for him.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The truth of the gospel should change the way we think. Thinking right will dictate the way we live and act. Notice how Nicodemus acts differently. If you do not allow the word of God to change the way you think, you will never change the way you live.

New Action

The third and final appearance of Nicodemus was in John 19:38-42. This time he has found a friend who is also cautious about revealing his stand as a Christian.

This was after Jesus was crucified. Except for John, all those that followed Jesus fled. One betrayed him. One denied him. Mark 14.50 "they all forsook him and fled".

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.

Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Nicodemus is a changed person. Joseph of Arimathea we know little about - we know he was rich; a secret disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57); and also a member of the council (Luke 23:50; Mark 15:43,46). Dwight L. Moody, a preacher used mightily by God, who lived between 1837-1899, wrote this of Joseph of Arimathea, and the same can be said of Nicodemus also.

I consider this was one of the sublimest [inspiring], grandest acts that any man ever did. In that darkness and gloom - His disciples having all forsaken Him; Judas having sold Him for thirty pieces of silver; the chief apostle Peter having denied him with a curse, swearing that he never knew Him; the chief priests having found Him guilty of blasphemy; the council having condemned Him to death; and when there was a hiss going up to heaven over all Jerusalem - Joseph went right against the current, right against the influence of all his friends, and begged the body of Jesus." ("Bible Characters" by Dwight L. Moody, p. 116)

Nicodemus and Joseph had lived as secret disciples while Jesus was alive, but there was nothing secret about what they were doing now. Risking the ridicule of the Romans and persecution from the Jewish religious council, they came to collect and bury the body of Jesus at their own expense. Here we witness the word Nicodemus received from Jesus in private bearing public fruit.

The measure of fruitfulness is seen in how our lives are changed by the word of God. Sacrifice for Jesus is a product of spiritual growth. Nicodemus was not after fame or fortune. In truth he was risking all by fulfilling this duty. The word of Jesus has the power to transform and release us from every hold of selfishness, cowardice, criticism and worldly mindsets. If only we would give it the access to our hearts via our minds.

Jesus probably knew that the man who came to see him timidly at night was the same man who was to play a vital role in his life (or should we say death) and ministry. Jesus never gives up on us. He has the ability of his word to change us, and in this case even a Pharisee.

Nicodemus came to Jesus in private because he was seeking for truth. Are some of you here seeking for the truth? Maybe you have heard about Jesus and even heard sermons on him but have never encountered him in private. You too can discover new truth that will set your life free.

Nicodemus’ character was transformed after he learnt the truth. Most of us are probably experiencing this work in our life. The bible calls it sanctification. We are being changed to become more like Jesus, in character and attitude. Are you struggling with this transformation? The bible tells us that he is the potter, we are the clay. The clay needs to be broken then formed for it to become something useful in the potter’s hands.

Nicodemus’ transformation brought about visible new actions. This is the fruit of our spiritual encounter with Jesus. Change on the inside will always bear fruit on the outside. Have you been a Christian but have remained dormant? Dormant volcanoes can either become active or extinct. We do not want to be extinct Christians. Like Nicodemus, let us wake up and serve God.

If you are a seeker and wants to know this Jesus that Nicodemus encountered, we can pray for you. 

If you are struggling as God do that transformation work in your life, know that you are on the right track and we can stand with you in prayer. Or if you are wanting to serve God in a greater measure, we will be happy to pray along with you as you seek his will in your life.

We should learn from Nicodemus and pursue Jesus wherever we are in our walk with God.

With Daniel Tan my young and capable interpreter.