Finding the Light in the Night

When I was a young boy I was given a pocket-sized copy of John’s Gospel. I was fascinated when I turned to chapter 3 and read about my a man with my namesake, Nicodemus. Who was he? What were his motives in coming to Jesus? What did he learn from his conversation with Jesus? How did it affect the rest of his life?

Nicodemus visited Jesus at night

Whenever Nicodemus is mentioned in the Gospels it is always with the label, Why is this religious leader in Israel always spoken of in this way? Was he a coward, afraid of what the fellow-members of the Sanhedrin would say if they saw him seeking out Jesus? Possibly, but more likely it was because it was the best time for both Jesus and himself to have a quiet, uninterrupted conversation about spiritual matters. Nicodemus had been occupied all day with his teaching duties, and Jesus had been busy with his outdoor ministry. Now both could relax and talk through the night. It may be that Nicodemus