Nicodemus? What about him?
There are quite a few intriguing characters in the Bible. Most of them are intriguing because we know so little about them. One of them is one of the two principle characters in our Gospel reading, Nicodemus.
Who was Nicodemus? We know he was a Pharisee and we know he was on the Jewish council but other than that, not a lot. So why does he get most of chapter three of the Gospel according to St. John? I’ll come clean right away and say I really don’t know. Jesus considered Nicodemus a teacher in (to?) Israel and gently teases him about what he doesn’t know. I think Nicodemus was an honest seeker after the truth of who Jesus was. Nicodemus was waiting for the Christ and needed to know if Jesus was the one. He doesn’t get as clear an answer as I’m sure he wished to get.
What do we get? This section of John has the reference made famous by thousands of well-meaning people who hold up signs that just say “John 3:16.” I have never seen the point, other than virtue signalling, of waving an inscrutable sign in a public place like a baseball game. I do wish people would read beyond verse sixteen (assuming they have actually read the verse in situ) to the next verse. To refresh your memory if needed, this is what John 3:17 says, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (NRSV) I know there is a lot of sentiment out there about the Christ coming back with vengeance in mind. I’m not saying there isn’t some biblical warrant for that but I find it very hard to square that circle with this verse.
As always, let me know what you think as you are able and inclined.
Blessings,
