Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus
answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do
not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we
know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not
accept our testimony.” John 3:9–11
As we reflected upon yesterday, Nicodemus is one of the only
Pharisees who ultimately converted, became a follower of Jesus, and
is today considered a saint. The only other Pharisees who were
recorded by name as converts to Christianity were Saint Paul and
Gamaliel. Acts 15:5 also indicates that some other Pharisees
ultimately converted.
When the many encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees are
considered as a whole, it’s clear that there was great resistance
among them toward Jesus and His teaching. They were constantly
seeking to trap Him and, of course, ultimately were responsible for
His death, along with other leading religious leaders from the
Sanhedrin. For that reason, it’s easy to understand that there must
have been great pressure upon all the Pharisees to reject Jesus.
Each one of them would have felt the power of peer pressure to act
in accord with the general view of Jesus’ condemnation. This is the
context of this passage above in which Nicodemus questions Jesus.
This passage continues yesterday’s Gospel conversation in which
Jesus says clearly to Nicodemus that the way to Heaven is to be
“born from above.” Nicodemus questions how one can “be born again,”
and then Jesus issues this apparent criticism of Him quoted
above.
It’s helpful to understand that Jesus’ criticism was not a
condemnation of Nicodemus. It was not in the tone of His normal
“Woe to you…” statements; rather, it was a gentle but very direct
challenge to Nicodemus so as to move him from his questions to
faith. And that’s the key. Nicodemus did not come to Jesus to trap
and condemn Him like the other Pharisees did. Nicodemus came
because he was confused. And most likely, he was confused because
he felt great peer pressure from his fellow Pharisees to condemn
Jesus.
Understanding this context should help us understand not only the
goodness and courage of Nicodemus but also the loving boldness of
Jesus. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was open. He knew that Nicodemus
could be won over. But Jesus also knew that Nicodemus needed to be
challenged in a direct and firm way. He needed a bit of a “holy
push” so as to enter into the gift of faith. Of course, Jesus’
challenge ultimately won Nicodemus over.
Reflect, today, upon any way in which you, too, need a “holy push”
from our Lord. What form of worldly pressure do you experience in
life? Do friends, neighbors, family members or co-workers impose
upon you in some way a peer pressure that is contrary to the life
of true holiness? If so, ponder the ultimate courage of Nicodemus,
Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Let their witness inspire you and allow
our Lord to challenge you where you need it the most so that you,
too, will receive the “holy push” that you need to be a more
faithful follower of Jesus.
My Lord of all strength, You are unwavering in Your
determination to challenge me in the area that I need it the most.
Help me to receive Your gentle rebukes of love when I am weak so
that I will have the courage and strength I need to be a faithful
follower of You. Give me clarity and understanding, dear Lord, and
help me to overcome the misleading pressures of the world. Jesus, I
trust in You.
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Featured image above: Visit of Nicodemus to Christ By John La
Farge, via Wikimedia Commons
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