Nicodemus: The Man with Many Questions

Imagine the privilege of being able to ask Jesus questions. How amazing would that be? Last week, we were introduced in our study of John 3—JESUS: The Only Way—to a man loaded with questions and desperate for answers. Nicodemus was equipped with the law, but faith was far from him. Unfortunately, I believe there are many people in our world that look at Jesus with the same wonder.

Is he really the God man?

Why did He come?

Did He even exist?

What does it mean to be saved?

Can He save me?

We will dive deeper into Jesus’ words soon, but for now let’s take a quick look into the questions that Nicodemus brought before Jesus. Maybe you or someone you know might have a few things in common with the man that met Jesus by night.

He questioned who Jesus was.

John 3:2 says, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Nicodemus uses the plural pronoun “we” indicating that he might be representing other Pharisees with the same questions. Whether his trip was business or personal the consensus still remains that he was not quite sure who Jesus was.

I believe all faiths have their roots embedded in the response to this question: “Who is Jesus?“ It’s amazing the diverse responses you will get to such a simple question. Jesus even questioned His own disciples about this very thing in Mark 8.

“And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?" And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ,” (Mark 8:27-29).

It’s one thing to believe that Jesus existed in history, and another to believe that Christ is the Son of God, Saviour of the world! He came to call “sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32) and give light to a dark world, black from sin.

Who is Jesus to you?

He confused spiritual things with physical things.

I love how Jesus immediately jumps to the heart of the matter. No flatteries, or formal introduction, just open-heart surgery on a man who was dying on the inside.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” (John 3:3-4)

Imagine the look on Nicodemus’s face. I must what? Be born again? We know that Nicodemus was confused because he immediately thought of a physical birth instead of a spiritual birth. Jesus explains further, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit,” (John 3:6).

I believe many people are right where Nicodemus is here. They try to make faith tangible. Something they can do or see that will pay their sin debt and set their souls free. Being saved has everything to do with your spirit and soul being renewed by faith in Jesus Christ.

Salvation is an internal work, not an external effort.

• No sacraments

• No traditions

• No church membership

• No accolades or accomplishments

No good thing can give eternal life outside of faith in the Gospel. Jesus is the only way!

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

He questioned the reality of salvation.

Nicodemus’s primary question was “How?” He asked in verse 9, “How can these things be?”

We might ask today, “Can God really save my soul? Can I really be made anew?”

There are many people that believe God is beyond saving them. They think their past is so hideously engrossed in sin that He cannot reach down and save someone so wretched. There is never a soul that God’s hand is too short to reach.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” (Romans 10:13).

Anyone can come to Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, I’d love for you to reach out to me and get that settled today. You can contact me here. Please, don’t wait with unanswered questions, when Jesus has all the answers.