Search and You will Find

Remember Nicodemus in John 3 who came to Jesus at night from the ruling class of Jews? He was afraid that being seen with Jesus might tarnish his status and reputation. His conversation is anything but conclusive for his faith. He seems to depart more confused that convinced.

But when Jesus dies, Nicodemus breaks protocol and publicly identifies with the crucified Savior. He is there waiting to care for the body of God's Son with a tremendous amount of expensive spices:





John 19:38–39 (ESV) After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

Do you ever wonder what made Nicodemus come around to believe in Jesus? 

We need to look back at the only other mention of Nicodemus in John's Gospel. It was around the time Jesus' ministry is taking off in Jerusalem. He stands up for Jesus before the ruling council and is resoundingly denounced. Here's what happens:

John 7:50–52 (ESV) Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Did you see it? The "Elders" of Israel who were convinced they needed to kill Jesus told Nicodemus (whom Jesus called Israel's teacher) to go search the scriptures and see if a prophet comes from Galilee.

For certain, no prophet had arisen from Galilee in history, but Nicodemus most likely found that the prophets foretell ONE who WILL come from "Nazareth" in Galilee (see Luke 1:26). And Isaiah said it long ago. In fact, it's read almost every Christmas today:

Isaiah 9:1–2 (ESV) But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Then later in the same chapter, Isaiah proclaims:

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So Nicodemus took their advice, searched the scriptures (from the Old Testament) and realized that indeed Jesus was THE prophet of Israel from Galilee and final sacrifice for sins. He sought and he found. And that says a lot about the power of searching the scriptures.

Faith comes by hearing this Word. I read that Church history records Nicodemus would be baptized by Peter and John, suffer persecution, lose his membership in the council and was forced to flee Jerusalem because of his faith in Christ. 

What a change! What a miracle. Truly a new birth experience.

It's amazing artistry on John's part. For John's Gospel is known as the Gospel of personal experiences with Christ. Yet he draws us in to Nicodemus personally in three distinct places to show us how some people eventually come to faith. For some there is not radical instant conversion. For some, like Nicodemus, there is slow, methodical and certain transformation in the heart.

Either way, Jesus has a way of changing your life.

Amen!