Nicodemus was one of the Pharisees who wisely recognized the fact that Jesus was “a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with Him."

The Gospels are historical records written by eyewitnesses and associates of eyewitnesses. The Apostle Peter writes:

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. - II Peter 1:6

The Apostle John affirms:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life;
    (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) - John 1:1,2

The apostles recognized Jesus was “From the beginning.” He existed before the foundation of the world, and is the promised Messiah. In the course of Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus, the Lord gave him and us the Gospel message. –

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

God sent His Son to die for our sins. He rose from the dead according to those eyewitness reports, and through faith in Him we receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus was not declaring something new. He was stating what had been ordained to be man’s salvation from the beginning of the world. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies, foreshadows and typologies that God had so skillfully laced throughout the Old Testament.

The majority of Jews today reject Jesus as the Messiah because they deliberately avoid or twist all the scriptural evidence that proves that He is God’s chosen Redeemer of mankind. The Pharisee Nicodemus is an exception. He represents a remnant of Jewish believers, then and now, who wisely have recognized the truth. The Apostle Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah concerning this remnant. –

Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. - Romans 9:27 from Isaiah 10:22.

This remnant has embraced the New Covenant with Israel that the Messiah Jesus procured for them with His own blood.

The miracles that Jesus did, were meant to be a confirmation of the truth of who He is and what He came to accomplish. The wise, like Nicodemus, will recognize the truth, embrace the eternal life it brings and rejoice.

“That which we have seen and heard declare we to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
    And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full." – I John 1:3,4

Copyright 2019 by H. D. Shively

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