One of Them

Day 133: John 7:31-53

'Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”' - John 7:50-52 ESV

The story of Nicodemus has to be one of the most fascinating among all the characters of the four biographies of Jesus' life and ministry. He had hitched himself to a group that was the most vehemently opposed to everything Jesus did. His nightcap visit that he made to Jesus had clearly been something that he couldn't shake (see John 3:1-21).

The seed that Jesus planted about being born again was starting to take root. Also, the observation the Pharisees made in verse 48 about whether any of their group had "believed" in him is sort of answered in Nicodemus coming to Jesus' defense here.

The work that God is doing in Nicodeumus' heart isn't going to stop here. We will later see him joining Joseph of Arimethea in taking Jesus' bloodied body down from the cross, wrapping it in 75 pounds of spices, and laying it in Joseph's tomb (see John 19:38-41).

Are you frustrated with the slow progress of someone you're trying to tell about Jesus? It may help you to think about the progression of Nicodemus. Once God starts at work on someone's heart, He is relentless in His desire to carry it to completion (see Philippians 1:6).