An encounter with Jesus is life-changing, and this is what Nicodemus experienced after his encounter with Jesus! He no longer could be the Pharisee that others expected of him. Similarly, Jesus changes our lives, and we no longer can be the person others expect us to be.
Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Have 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 a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” John 7:45-52
Nicodemus was in the process of changing. He recognized that Jesus was a very different man than what he had heard about Him. The other Pharisees thought of Jesus as a man who deceived God’s people with His false claims and teachings, but Nicodemus had his own personal encounter with Jesus. He had learned first-hand what Jesus was about. He saw Him as a man who wasn’t interested in growing a following. Instead, He was interested in helping people to see the Kingdom of God even if it meant offending some.
In the above passage, the Pharisees, expected the prison guards to be on their side and to arrest Jesus. However, the prison guards had noticed that Jesus was no ordinary man, and his teachings were touching a nerve with them. Jesus was more in tune with their needs than their religious leaders who were too busy with their religious duties to be in touch with people’s needs.
The prison guards had heard the word of God from their religious leaders, but it must have been dry, dead, and burdensome. However, Jesus was different. When He spoke it was as if the burdens melted away and peace entered the room. Jesus spoke the word of God, and it brought light into their darkness!
Nicodemus was not on the side of the religious folks anymore. He no longer could go along with the status quo and accept the false accusations about Jesus. On the contrary, Nicodemus stood up to them. He reminded his counterparts that the law allows someone to be heard before drawing a judgment on them.
The Pharisees were so focused on ensuring that everyone else was following the law that they disobeyed the law to zealously attack Jesus’ character and ministry. That’s why Jesus taught His disciples not to do what the Pharisees were doing (See Matthew 23:1-7).
It is easy to become religious and create a high standard for others based on our preferences or insecurities, and, at the same time, forget what God is asking us to do. It makes it even more difficult when we have a group of people who think like us, and we all agree on certain issues. Then people throw out all objectivity and develop a mob mentality because no one is willing to challenge the truth or how to handle the truth appropriately.
When Nicodemus stood up to the other Pharisees, they accused him of being a Galilean. they also showed their prejudice and contempt towards Galilean. You see it is so easy for things to become political, and the lines being drawn where people have to decide which side they belong. The enemy loves to cause factions, and people can easily get baited. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whose side you are on. By the sheer fact of being on one side or the other, you are expected to show you unreserved loyalty otherwise you are going to be shunned.
That’s what I love about Jesus. He didn’t come to take sides, and He didn’t manipulate people or give them empty promises to develop a following. As a matter of fact, He taught people that they needed to deny themselves to follow Him and that they were going to get persecuted for His name’s sake. He also taught His disciples to love their enemies, which is the opposite of the strife and division in political cliques.
There is a cost associated with following Jesus. He came to take on the sin of the world. The sweet and touching story of Jesus’ birth was just the beginning of an amazing redemption God had planned for us. Jesus’ life was a journey of obedience with God that led Him to the cross for our sake. Like Nicodemus, we will also be challenged to stand up for our faith and defend the authenticity of who Jesus is. Are you ready to challenge the systems around you? Are you willing to disturb the status quo and inspire people to take one more look at Jesus? They need to see Him for who He is, not for what they have heard about Him in their polluted circles. Will you be the one to stand up for Jesus!?
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