The Defense of Nicodemus

Lesson #134

With this lesson we will finish chapter 7. We ended the last lesson with the Pharisees venting their angry displeasure with the officers not returning with Jesus. The Pharisees told them they were deceived by being moved by what Jesus said and further condemned them by telling them that none of those in authority believed in Jesus. Next the Pharisees condemned the crowd. They said, “But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed” (John 7:49 ESV). In the minds of the Pharisees, the crowd refers to common people, or as we would say, the rabble. They were looked down upon as being unformed and not qualified to make spiritual decisions, especially concerning their salvation; this is because they had not been schooled in the law. It is interesting to note that Christianity is available for everyone and that even a child can know enough to choose a relationship with Jesus Christ and thus obtain salvation. In the eyes of the Pharisees, these people are accursed, or cursed to eternal destruction.

The Pharisees had just claimed that none of the authorities believe in Jesus, but we know from a previous lesson that Nicodemus had gone to see Jesus, “and who was one of them, said to them” (John 7:50 ESV) comes forth with a challenge. “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:51 ESV). Nicodemus, who earlier was so timid and fearful that he went to visit Jesus in the dark, now steps forth with boldness and fearlessly defends the truth that he is beginning to accept from Jesus. He claims that they are not being fair by not carefully listening to Jesus and having dialog with him to discern the truth. What Jesus is saying is radically different to what they currently believe and makes them uncomfortable. Instead of working through their discomfort caused by this new hearing, they reject it and the one who is bringing it, seeking to get back as quickly as possible to their acceptable normal. Nicodemus suggest they give Jesus a fair hearing.

As expected, the Pharisees turn against Nicodemus. “They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:52 ESV). They lash out with contempt and ridicule, a weapon so often used by the proud and haughty against Christianity. By insisting Jesus is from Galilee and not from Bethlehem, they think they can build a stronger case against Jesus. Scripture is clear that the prophet, the Messiah, is from Bethlehem and not Galilee. Being convinced of the wrong town leads the Pharisees to reject Jesus and the truth God is sending to them through him, his Son.

This ends chapter 7 with each departing to his own house. The earliest manuscripts do not include John 7:53 – 8:11. We will, however, pick up our study with the next lesson starting at John 8:1.

Prayer

Father, this lesson stresses to me the importance of listening to what is being said; to give the speaker a fair hearing and then carefully determine if the message is from God. Father, it seems like many church people are like the Pharisees and want to hear what makes them comfortable. They are not willing to listen to that which is challenging and then take the time to validate it and apply the truth to their lives. Unfortunately, this desire for comfort overpowers their desire to become more like Jesus and as a result they continue to look like those in the world. Father, I wonder if judgment through some persecution would help by replacing some of their comfort with suffering and less safety?