Nicodemus

                                                                                                                                            March 31, 2023

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews and a teacher of Israel, whose secret visit to our Lord was the occasion of the discourse recorded only by Saint John. (John 3:1,10). He came to Jesus during the night when it was dark to talk to Him seeking to avoid others seeing him speaking to our Lord.

Nicodemus told Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'” (John 3:3). Our kind and caring Lord Jesus talked to Nicodemus in a way that encouraged Nicodemus to ask questions. “Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?'” (John 3:4). “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God'” (John 3:5). These words meant that God is above and therefore to enter His Kingdom we must all be born from above by baptism. Baptism unites us with the Holy Spirit and we become children of God through the Sacrament of Baptism.

Nicodemus desired to become a child of God and was baptized. He loved God and wanted the grace of Baptism. He believed in the Words of Lord Jesus was born from above and became a child of God.
Nicodemus would never again come to Jesus in the dark of night because he was ashamed but would love Jesus and become His follower proudly! In Nicodemus a noble candor and a simple love of truth shine out in the midst of hesitation and fear of man. He finally became a follower of Christ, and came with Joseph of Arimathaea to take down and embalm the body of Jesus. Holy Church commemorate him by naming the seventh week of the great lent.

May his prayer be with us, Amen!