Scripture records progressive snapshots in (Niqodiymon) Nicodemus’ spiritual development. We find incidents about him spanning much of Messiah’s earthly ministry. Early in John’s Gospel, we meet Nicodemus, apparently personifying a politically–correct Jewish constituency, who were vexed by the King Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, but something was happening in him spiritually, for the Apostle John wrote…
THERE was a man of the Parashiym, named Niqodiymon, a ruler of the Yahudiym: The same came to YAHUSHA by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from ALAHIYM: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except ALAHIYM be with him. YAHUSHA answered and said unto him, Amein, Amein, I say unto you, Except a man be born from the beginning, he cannot see את eth-the Kingdom of YAHUAH. Niqodiymon said 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? YAHUSHA answered, Amein, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the RUACH, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of YAHUAH. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the RUACH is ruach. Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye must be born from the beginning. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is everyone that is born of the RUACH. Niqodiymon answered and said unto him, How can these things be? YAHUCHANON (JOHN) 3:1-9
There is ample evidence that Nicodemus was born again that night in his encounter with Ma’Shiach. But the record doesn’t end there. A line of demarcation between Yahusha and the Jewish legalists became more clearly defined with the passage of time, as did Nicodemus’ conviction and boldness, for we read...
So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Parashiym; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then answered them the Parashiym, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Parashiym believed on him? But this people who knows not the Torah are cursed. Niqodiymon said unto them, (he that came to YAHUSHA by night, being one of them,) Does our Torah judge any man, before it hears him, and know what he does? They answered and said unto him, Are you also of Galiyl? Search, and look: for out of Galiyl arises no prophet. YAHUCHANON (JOHN) 7:43-52 את
Nicodemus’ defense of Yahusha in a public setting was a bold step, but the story doesn’t end there either. We have to continue reading, (imagine that) John records one other incident about this man…
And after this Yoceph of Ramah, being a Talmidiy of YAHUSHA, but secretly for fear of the Yahudiym, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of YAHUSHA: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of YAHUSHA. And there came also Niqodiymon, which at the first came to YAHUSHA by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of YAHUSHA, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Yahudiym is to bury. YAHUCHANON (JOHN) 19:38-40 את
Practical Application
This move by these two men to secure Yahusha’s body and bury it took considerable courage. While Scripture provides no history of Yoceph of Arimathea’s regeneration, we can see a vital contrast in the Nicodemus of John 3 and the Nicodemus of John 19, testifying to the Apostle Paul’s words in II Corinthians 5:17. The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment, but the making of a saint is the task of a lifetime. If you were to be indicted of being a Born again follower of the Messiah of the world, (Yahusha Ha’Mashiach) is there enough evidence to convict you? I challenge you to audit your progress in spiritual maturity.
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