FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
August 18
CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’ -NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 5)
A Bible Dictionary summarizes the following of Nicodemus (all emphasis mine):
“A Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, who visited Jesus by NIGHT for a discussion of His teachings (John 3: 1-21). He chose the NIGHT HOUR, FEARFUL THAT IF DETECTED, he would be RIDICULED by his fellow Pharisees, among who Jesus was decidedly UNPOPULAR.
“Although he [Nicodemus] had been a teacher of Israel and had been interested in the teaching of Christ, he was IGNORANT of even the MOST ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD as preached by Jesus [not by the Sanhedrin or the religious guardians of the people].
“However the [night time] interview with Jesus must have made a deep impression on him. Although he did NOT IMMEDIATELY become a follower of the Lord, the SEED [of ‘the truth as it is in Jesus’] SOWN DURING THAT NIGHT bore fruit in the course of time.
“A few months before the crucifixion, when members of the Sanhedrin in one of their meetings had denounced Jesus as an IMPOSTOR, Nicodemus raised his voice in DEFENSE OF HIM, asking whether it was permissible for them to CONDEMN a man even before he was heard (John 7: 50-52).
NOTE: This was the exact opposite action of Peter who denied he knew Jesus three times with cursing or an oath during Christ’s illegal nighttime trial by the same Jewish Sanhedrin!].
“After Christ’s death on the cross, he OPENLY took his stand on the side of the despised Teacher of Nazareth. He and JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, another member of the Sanhedrin, took the body of Jesus from the cross and gave it a decent, though temporary burial (ch 19: 39, 40-42).” – SDA Bible Dictionary Complete with Atlas, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 8, Review & Herald Publishing Asso.,1960.
Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (who offered his unused grave near Calvary to be Christ’s burial place) were so wealthy it is claimed that their combined wealth alone could sustain the whole Jewish economy for year. However, after they both came forth openly for Jesus, they eventually lost their status and wealth.
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.