Who was Nicodemus?
Before I get into that can I recommend you check out the recent American production, The Chosen, a magnificent multi-series about the life of Jesus. Produced by Dallas Jenkins, he and his team have chosen (pardon the pun) some incredibly authentic actors to play the key roles – my own favourites include Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, and Vanessa Benavente, who plays his mum. Another favourite is the role of Matthew, who is interpreted in an utterly endearing way by Paras Patel. But I also love Nicodemus played by Erick Avari.
I know we mustn’t get too caught up in productions and interpretations, and it is what we learn in Scripture that matters most fundamentally. But in The Chosen, Nicodemus is seen as sincere, conflicted and searching for truth. And Jesus, as always, responds with such kindness. There is a good deal of humour in the encounter too. Both of these qualities can be lost in a too-earnest interpretation of Scripture if we’re not careful. Nicodemus is a Pharisee, and also a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. He is respected and influential. For such a man to seek out this ‘blasphemer’ Jesus, would have taken courage and integrity. We see that in the adaptation.
In this passage Nicodemus steps out of the darkness, both literally and metaphorically, to speak to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. He draws close, hesitant. Afraid of being seen. I always imagine this conversation – with Jesus poking a camp fire a bit like the way he draws in the sand in the story of the woman who committed adultery.
Jesus is there – just reflecting – light in the dark – and out of the dark, or on the edges of it, appears Nicodemus. I say on the edges of the darkness, because as a respected member of the council, a rabbi in his own right, and wrestling with his own questions, he maybe doesn’t want to be seen speaking with, or whisper it, being fascinated by this outrageous heretic, He isn’t ready. He is on the edge of understanding. Looking at the light, stepping into the light but still not quite there. Still hovering a bit in the dark.
Some commentators are quite hard on Nicodemus – he is asking dumb questions, they say – but someone has to ask them. And so he does.
He says, quite profoundly, you can’t do what you do Jesus, and say what you say, unless you are who you say you are – can you?
Not seeing God yet, but seeing someone who has God with him. On a journey as they say.
‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Yet how can someone be born again when they are old?
He is asking the right questions. He is looking for the right answers. But they make very little sense yet. We could all be more Nicodemus. Risking stepping away from what we know and take for granted, risking ridicule maybe if we are seen; certainly risking self-doubt – he is or could be every man and every woman. We all think we have got it right, and the others have got it wrong. Our opinions calcify into fact. Because we can’t cope with being wrong.
It’s funny how many of us think that anyone who has come to different theological conclusions to us is “deceived.” Perhaps we should just admit that none of us know the entire truth, all of us come from different backgrounds with different journeys, all of us change our views as we receive new information (just like all healthy, developing human beings), and thus all of us
are somewhat deceived about our understanding, of life, of moral value, of God, but we’re trying not to be. Nicodemus’ hunger for truth leads him into an encounter with a much bigger and more beautiful God than the small one he thought existed.
So let’s ask the hard questions – of ourselves and of others. It’s a risky business because we might not like the answers. They may cause us to doubt – our selves, our faith, our view of the world. But in that doubt God is giving us room to grow. And though growth can be painful – but it is worth it.
Let’s all be a bit more Nicodemus. He’s one of the good guys. Really.
And do watch The Chosen (especially the last ten minutes of episode four, of series 5!)
We could all be more Nicodemus. Risking stepping away from what we know and take for granted, risking ridicule maybe if we are seen; certainly risking self-doubt – he is or could be every man and every woman.
This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.
John 3: 19-21 – THE MESSAGE
John 3:1-21 MSG – Born from Above – There was a man of – Bible Gateway
Thank you for reading – I look forward to hearing your thoughts!