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Chapter 17—Nicodemus Comes to Jesus at Night
This chapter is based on
John 3:1-17
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Nicodemus, a highly educated and honored member of the na-
tional council, had been stirred by the teaching of Jesus. Though
rich and learned, he had been strangely attracted by the humble
Nazarene. The lessons that had fallen from the Saviour’s lips had
greatly impressed him, and he desired to learn more.
Christ’s exercise of authority in cleansing the temple had roused
the hatred of the priests and rulers. Such boldness on the part of an
obscure Galilean was not to be tolerated. But not all were agreed on
putting an end to His work. Some feared to oppose One so evidently
moved by the Spirit of God. They knew that the bondage of the
Jews to a heathen nation was the result of their stubbornness in
rejecting reproofs from God. They feared that in plotting against
Jesus the priests and rulers were following in the steps of their fathers
and would bring fresh calamities on the nation. Nicodemus shared
these feelings. In the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus advised caution and
moderation. He urged that if Jesus was really invested with authority
from God, it would be perilous to reject His warnings. The priests
dared not disregard this counsel.
Nicodemus had anxiously studied the prophecies relating to the
Messiah. The more he searched, the stronger was his conviction that
this was the One who was to come. He had been distressed by the
profanation of the temple. He was a witness when Jesus drove out
the buyers and the sellers; he saw the Saviour healing the sick; he
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saw their looks of joy, and heard their words of praise. He could not
doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was the Sent of God.
He greatly desired an interview with Jesus, but shrank from
seeking Him openly. Should his visit come to the knowledge of
the Sanhedrin, it would draw upon him scorn and denunciation. He
resolved upon a secret interview. Learning by special inquiry the
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