Fan Or Follower Of Jesus? Series

Before we end, I want to give you an example of someone who moved from fan to follower that occurs in the Bible. In John 3 we read about a fan named Nicodemus. He wasn't just any fan. He was a well known and Jewish leader. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, an elite group of Jewish religious leaders.

Nicodemus was an admirer of Jesus. He was inspired, but he was still just an enthusiastic admirer. There would be much to lose if Nicodemus went public as a follower of Jesus. What would people think if they found out he was a follower of this homeless carpenter turned rabbi from a nothing town called Nazareth?

Remember last week, I spoke about how we define our relationship with Jesus. It was time for Nicodemus to define his relationship with Jesus.

In John 3, we read - - -

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night . . . - 3:1-2

Look at when Nicodemus came to Jesus. It wasn’t during the day, it was at night when nobody else would see him. At night he would avoid awkward questions from the other religious leaders. At night he could spend time with Jesus without anyone knowing.

If he could speak with Jesus at night when no one was around, maybe he could begin a relationship with Jesus without having to make any real changes.

Have you ever been there like Nicodemus? I have. When I said yes to Jesus nobody knew. Just a couple of people from church. I didn’t tell my parents, my coworkers, nobody. It was as if I simply wanted to fit in and not make any real changes in my life, but that’s more of a fan that a follower. That’s where Nicodemus was.

And I don’t want to skip what Jesus does. He said in verse 3 - - -

3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3:3

Jesus doesn’t mince His words. Nicodemus is confused and Jesus explains what it means and ultimately brings it home in verse 14-15 saying - - -

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15 that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. - 3:14-15

Nicodemus has his answer. And the story moves on and we lose sight of Nicodemus for awhile, but we see him again in John 7. Something’s changed. In John 7-8, Jesus is powerfully proclaiming to be the Christ. Some of the people get it and believe in Jesus, many others don’t and the Pharisees want Him arrested.

But the officers don’t arrest Jesus because they’ve never heard anyone speak like Him. The Pharisees are angry and say - - -

47 Have you also been deceived?

48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in Him?

Do you see that 2nd question? No other Pharisees believe in Him, none of the authorities believe in Him, so you shouldn’t as well. We’re not that gullible. We don’t buy what He’s selling. And then John tells us - - -

50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, said to them,

51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”