According to Wikpedia, “The word "Pharisee" means a separatist in the Hebrew language.
The Pharisees were a social movement and a school of thought in the Holy Land during the ... 100 CE), believed by many historians to be a Pharisee, estimated the total Pharisee ... According to the Mishnah and Talmud, the men of the Great Assembly instituted the requirement that Jews both in Judea and in the diaspora.
The Pharisees asserted that God could and should be worshipped even away from the Temple and outside Jerusalem. To the Pharisees, worship consisted not in bloody sacrifices—the practice of the Temple priests—but prayer and the study of God's law.
The Talmud notes that the Hebrew numerical value (gematria) of the word "Torah" is 611, and combining Moses's 611 commandments with the first two of the Ten Commandments which were the only ones heard directly from God, adds up to 613.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John: He first visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus' teachings (John 3:1–21).
An unforgettable encounter occurred in this book of John. Amongst the synoptic Gospels, only John recorded this transaction which put a significant clarity between the religious worshipper and a righteous seeker.
Nicodemus was a Ruler amongst the Jews, a Pharisee with respect and sound knowledge of the Law.
To be eligible or qualify to be a Pharisee, one must have enrolled as a Member of the sect long ago; and must be able to read the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) offhand by committing them to memory. A difficult task and a major prequalifying requisite.
Aside from these attributes, a Pharisee is a master keeper of the authored ordinances and rites of the religious dictates. A call that requires high levels of self-denial, sacrificial devotion, and complete consecration to the devotion.
Nicodemus had been keeping these and has a whole lot of people he was leading in the synagogue; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to occupy such a central role in the Sanhedrin.
Nicodemus is famous and focus, knowledgeable and lettered in the law, devoted and dedicated, religious and ready for the call of service. By all standards and dictates, he is a faultless religious leader and keeper of the law.
An encounter and something seems to have necessarily compelled him to the Saviour. The outward is clean but something inside seems to be imperfect. He was yearning for a higher, incomprehensible quench, which the law and the religion couldn’t satisfy. He needed salvation and a complete transformation within, that will cause a remarkable change without and relationship with the Divine God.
The letters of the law couldn’t achieve this, the religious rites and daily citation fail to atone for this, his long experience and knowledge garnered so far failed to meet this inner quest.
Nicodemus knew something differentiates Jesus’ messages from their regular customs. He is aware their norms fail to meet divine order hence, the necessity to meet the Prince of Peace to settle the score of sin and human limitations, inadequacy of religion, religious titles, activities and ceremonial duties.
After all, Christ wouldn’t have come to die if the Pharisee messages, religious rites and practices were sufficient to atone for man’s sin (‘ …for without the shedding of blood, there will be no remission for sin’).
Nicodemus’ encounter with the Master of the Law himself was a huge concern the Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin must never be aware of. Nicodemus gave it the strictest confidence and approached the Saviour by night. The words of Christ were too strong to be comprehended, as they were entirely divinely revealing from the regular service in the synagogue. Nicodemus was confused and astonished on how can a person be born when he is old.
Christ took time to expatiate on the spiritual rebirth and re-creation of man. Christ took it from the point of human depravity, the fall of man and the insufficiency of all ransoms to remedy his guilt. He hinged the centrality on the solution on spiritual rebirth that comes from above, void of religious supports or interventions, human uprightness and self-righteousness can’t help at this point. It comes entirely from total dependence, belief, and trust in the sufficient Calvary’s work. “For by Grace are ye saved through faith, it is not of your work, lest any man should boast.”
How come a religious man like Nicodemus was not saved in spite of his knowledge of the law? A Teacher in the Synagogue, a Rabbi in his own right? A Pharisee of repute and long-standing experience? A Keeper of all outwards guides and principles of the Jewish rules? In spite of his daily meditation, prayers, and customs of dress code and others? Too bad, religion and religious activities can cleanse sin. “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus”.
Today, the globe is filled and littered with several Nicodemus-from Pentecostal to orthodox, episcopal to Catholicism, Jehovah witnesses to white garments, Reformers to Charismatic, etc. From Africa to Europe, South America no North, Pacific to Asia, etc.
Everyone is engrossed and overwhelmed with religious services. So deep a love for the things of God, but not God. Many are famous choristers and gospel artists; renowned preachers and pastors; respected deacons/ness and elders; Sunday school teachers, theologians; authors; seminarians; bible commentators; children teachers; gospel dramatists and Christian publishers; Christian comedians; gospel hip-hop singers; language interpreters; Bible commentators; deliverance ministers; tele-evangelists; radio speakers; revivalists; prophets and general overseers; founders and senior pastors; motivational preachers and orators of the word of God; miracle workers and seers; women teachers; single preachers; marriage counselors; religious parenting experts;; religious life coaches and godly mentors; and youth fellowship president, etc. Romans 1:29-32 (Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, and not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them).
How come they are so knowledgeable about the bible, yet far from the Saviour’s reach? They can preach and sermonize, teach and pray, cast out devils and speak in tongues, heal and deliver, but they are not saved? They have a diploma in Christian Ministry but they have never been saved by the power of the Cross. Matthew 23:23 (Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone.)
They pray daily, attend daily and weekly services, they even preach and share gospel tracts, anchor Christian programmes and visit the holy land, but they are loaded with the conviction of sin. Colossians 3:5 (Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanliness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry)
How come they are ordained Ministers and even decorate their cars, houses with stickers and hand bands of their churches, yet they are not free from sin? How come they don’t play with choir practice, bible study review, Sunday school, family devotion, and they have several books and biblical references and concordance yet sin dwells in them? Matthew 7:13-14 (Enter ye at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leaded to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which led unto life and few there be that find it.)
How come they have mastered all the bible references and can quote without opening the bible, how come they attend conferences, congresses, and crusades, yet they are still indulging in hidden, secret sin?
With so many decorated titles and positions: Apostles, Doctor, a man of God, Daddy in Israel, Mummy in Jerusalem, etc, yet they are far from the messages they are preaching? They preach salvation and minister in several programmes but inwardly, they are still slaves to lust, anger and pride. Matthew 7:15 (Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.)
They can’t come out openly and publicly like Nicodemus; everyone will laugh at them. “General Overseer, you mean you are a sinner?” “Pastor, you mean you also tell lies secretly?” Deacon, you mean you still conjure pornography and sensual, romantic thought?” District Pastor, Country Overseer, Provincial Pastor, State Overseer and Pastor, you mean you still lust after your Maid and occasionally demonstrate unforgiveness towards others?” Matthew 7:16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bringefth forth evil fruit….wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.) Matthew23:27 (Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanliness). Matthew 23:25 (Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess).
Nicodemus couldn’t hide his depravity and spiritual helplessness anymore. He sought the Saviour. He removed position, power and personality. He chose to be disgraced earthly than to be eternally lost forever. Matthew 7:21-23 (Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, BUT he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity).
Dear Nicodemus, you will be surprised that, the Saviour is seeing you as a sinner, not the way others and humans are seeing you... They revere you as a clergyman, a pastor, a GO, a prophet, an elder a pastor, a man of God, AN Apostle, a Prophet, a teacher, a theologian, a seminarian, a daddy, but you are just a sinner. Revelation 6: 15-17 (And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men and every bondman and every free man, hid in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?)
All your biblical and religious experiences and devotions don’t mean anything without a complete redemption from the Saviour. Sleeping in the church, leading three services every Sunday, speaking in tongues, casting out devils, attending vigils, visiting churches, authoring books, organizing crusades, and even leading others to Christ, dedicating your entire life and time and resources to religion activities will end in futility. They are all waste and immaterial if you have not been completely redeemed and cleansed from all KNOWN Sin-inward or outward. God cannot be bribed with religion and religious activities. Revelation 21:8 (But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their pr in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.)
The world of Christ to Nicodemus was fair and firm, single but powerful, “except a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God’. He might have learned all the Biblical injunctions, attended all Christian seminars, be the fellowship president, be a General Overseer, a teacher, a leader, or whatever. Untainted, unstained and pure salvation that Heaven can attest to, is the only confirmation of your eternal redemption.
Are you born again?
