CHARACTER STUDY ~ NICODEMUS

Nicodemus is a Greek masculine name that means 'victory of the people'. He was a secret follower of Jesus Christ and sought Him to explain how he could attain eternal life.

Some Characteristics of Nicodemus:

✔ He was a Pharisee a ruler of the Jews. The title Pharisee means the separate one usually given to a group of people who have separated themselves from society to study and teach the law, but they also separated themselves from the common people because they considered them religiously unclean. Although most of the Pharisees were against Jesus and His teaching, Nicodemus availed himself of the teaching of Jesus Christ.   

✔ Nicodemus understood the source of Jesus' ministry. He stated, “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.”  If we have a closed walk with Christ we need to know much about how He operates and accord Him respect in that regard. 

✔ Nicodemus displayed his teaching and learning technique of asking questions for clarification by asking Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” After the response was given he also asked “How can these things be?” Developing the attitude to ask questions will guide us on the path to truth to escape the wrath that will come on the sons of disobedience.  

✔ In the quest to quench the heat of the chief priests and Pharisees on why the officers could not arrest Jesus, Nicodemus threw a question at them “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” This question is enlightening us not to judge people before they are trialed an example is mob justice (instant justice).    

✔ Nicodemus took part in the burial of Jesus Christ. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Dear beloved in the Lord, it is not enough to just hear the Word, put it to practice as Nicodemus did. Christ is no longer physically with us but we have the poor and needy around. Let us show them some love by supporting them either with food, clothing, shelter, or anything we can afford.  

✔ There is no record of the death of Nicodemus in the Bible although it could be found in other religious literature. It is only the Gospel of John that gives an account of Nicodemus. 

Supporting Scripture: John 3:1-21; 7:50-53; & 19:39-42