A Man Named Nicodemus - John 3:1

John the apostle shared when Jesus, “ was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man”, and in chapter three and verse one of his book, John shared about, “a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus” where we read:

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The verse reads, “There was a man of the Pharisees, ...” John began with the words, “there was a man” which means “there existed a male human being” “of the Pharisees” which means “belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life”. John shared about a particular “man” who was a member of the “sect” of religious leaders known as “Pharisees”.

The verse goes on to say, “... named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:” John added the words, “named Nicodemus” which means “who was called, surnamed and known as Nicodemus which means conqueror and was a member of the Sanhedrin” (“The Sanhedrin was an assembly of either twenty-three or seventy-one elders, appointed to sit as a tribunal in every city in the ancient Land of Israel”), “a ruler” or “a prince, chief, magistrate and commander” “of the Jews” which means “belonging to the Jewish nation in respects to birth, origin and religion”. John shared that this man's “name” was “Nicodemus” who was a member of the “Sanhedrin” and a “chief or commander” over the Jewish people.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn about another “man” who entered the life of Jesus. This man's name was “Nicodemus” who belonged to the religious leaders known as the “Pharisees” and was a “ruler” over the Jewish people. More will be said about “Nicodemus” in our next few verses, but for now let us realize people, regardless of their positions and status, were important to Jesus. Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with everyone, and when they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and provide them with everlasting life with God. Let everyone, rulers and all, come to Jesus.

Next time John shares how Nicodemus, “came to Jesus by night”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".