Born Again (3)

John 3:1 (C)

Now, the external is not unimportant or irrelevant in religion. God's commands pertain to both our thoughts and our actions. But what defines a person's spiritual condition and drives his actions is the heart, his thoughts and his motives. The evil things that come forth from a man's heart are what make him unclean in God's sight (Matthew 15:18-20). Jesus perceives the evil and the malice in the hearts of the Pharisees, as well as their outward disobedience to God's Law. Although they appear extremely pious to some people, and certainly to themselves, their religion is dead. They bring spiritual bondage and condemnation to the people, and they have become the enemies of God.

Nicodemus is a Pharisee. From what we read in chapter 3, as well as his subsequent appearances in the Gospel of John, we can agree that he is better than the typical Pharisee. But still, it is from this background and this mentality that he comes to inquire of Jesus. Also, we can assume that he is at least outwardly religious, that he is respected by the people, and that he is very educated. Later in the passage, Jesus even calls him "the teacher of Israel" (v. 10, NASB).

But there is more to him. Verse 1 also refers to him as "a member of the Jewish ruling council." This means that he is a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme ruling body among the Jews. The council is headed by the high priest, and has religious, civil, and criminal jurisdiction over the people. Of course, its power is limited while Israel is under the rule of foreign nations at various times in history, but its authority is nevertheless considerable. Among its powers and duties, the council is responsible to investigate and deal with those whom they suspect to be false prophets and heretics. Other New Testament characters who are also members of the Sanhedrin include Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43) and Gamaliel (Acts 5:34).

In addition, something that John writes elsewhere suggests that Nicodemus must be a wealthy man. Nicodemus also appears in chapters 7 and 19 in this Gospel. In chapter 19, after Jesus had died on the cross, Nicodemus accompanies Joseph of Arimathea to bury the body of Jesus. Verse 39 says, "Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." Only a wealthy man could bring all of this, and as one scholar comments, Nicodemus brings such a large amount of myrrh and aloes that it is as if he is preparing for a royal burial.

(to be continued)