Nicodemus Influence On Jesus

he character that interested me was Nicodemus. Nicodemus as a leader of the Jews. Appears that Nicodemus was part of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem which was the ruling body of the Jews. Each city could have a Sanhedrin, which functioned as the “lower courts.” Under Roman authority in the time of Christ, the Jewish nation was allowed a measure of self-rule, and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was the final court of appeals for matters regarding Jewish law and religion. This was the body that ultimately condemned Jesus. It was interesting to find out that he was one of the Pharisee helping to take down Jesus' body from the cross. From what the Bible verses show, Nicodemus was curious in Jesus teachings and visited Jesus himself in person but not during the daylight to possibly protect his image and not to be assume as the trader of the faith of

current law. In their conversation, Jesus immediately confronted Nicodemus with the truth that he “must be born again ”(John 3:3). When Nicodemus seems incredulous, Jesus reprimands him, since he is a leader of the Jews, he should already know this (John 3:10). Jesus goes on to give a further explanation of the new birth, and it is in this context that we find John 3:16.

Question to the class: Do you think it is possible to reborn without physical death? “Can one teach an old dog new tricks”?

Sources:

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/jesus/beginning-ministry/nicodemus-born-again/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Nicodemus-in-the-Bible.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

https://blog.israelbiblicalstudies.com/jewish-studies/john-3-1-8-who-was-nicodemus-2/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Question 1

Verses from the Old Testament about Jesus birth

“Judah will hold the royal scepter, and his descendants will always rule. Nations will bring him tribute

And bow in obedience before him.” (Genesis 49:10)

“The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

“The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants. “(Isaiah 11:1)

“The Lord says, “The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5)

“You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end. “(2 Samuel 7:16)

Verses from the New Testament about Jesus birth

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. “(Luke 2:7)

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

“(Luke 2:21)

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. “(Luke 2:11-14)

Luke explain the occasion for Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, and especially for the circumstances accompanying His birth, namely His being wrapped in strips of cloth and being placed in some cattle feeding trough. Verses 8-14 describe the angelic visitation of the shepherds as the occasion for the visit of the shepherds at the birth sight. Verses 15-20 report the shepherd’s visitation and their testimony after having seen the Savior. It does not appear, Luke to emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, Luke’s purpose is to show the humble circumstances of the Messiah’s birth.

Question

2

Son of God was born in a stable or cave where animals were kept, and his first crib was a common cattle trough. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:4-7)

Angels appeared to the shepherds to glorify the birth of the Son of God:“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, lory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:8-20)

Question 3

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and asked: “How can I be born when I am old?" "I can't go back inside my mother! I can't be born a second time! “But Jesus replied with the wisdom and interesting approach that God forgives and gives another chance, meaning showing the love, "What I'm about to tell you is true. No one can enter God's kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised when I say, 'You must all be born again. (John 3:4-7)

Jesus made it clear that He was talking not about a physical birth, like a baby being born. He was talking about a spiritual rebirth. This is getting a new life from God.

The woman at the well came to draw water at the hottest part of the day, instead of the usual morning or evening times, because she was shunned and rejected by the other women of the area for her life style that was considered immoral. Jesus knew her history but still accepted her and ministered to her. He shoed that God has love for everyone even for her. In John 4:16-18, Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband' for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" He showed the respect to the women when others would not, he showed that God loves everyone despites their sins.

Question 4

an investigator-reports had reached the teachers and rulers concerning Christ which startled them. A man not educated in their schools, nor sent forth with their authority, was preaching doctrines not included in their systems, and doing works to which they were not equal. Nicodemus came to inquire of Christ personally as to these things.

A cautious man- Nicodemus knew that Judaism was of God, and that Judaism prophesied a Messiah with which Christ did not seem to correspond. Yet Christ's miracles appeared to authenticate His mission. But before accepting Him he would inquire further.

III. An intelligent- education does not always enlarge the mind. Religious education sometimes tends to bigotry. But this man was an independent thinker, and claimed the right of private judgment. His large mental capacity had been cultured to appreciate evidence and to weigh words. Consequently, j\Jesus reveals to him more advanced truths.

Question 5

One of the verses from Mathews 5:8, “ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” We are living for our life in such a way that we see God. If we see God, it will open the treasure chest of all the blessings, not only for eternity, but also for life as whole in present. The key to open that treasure chest is a pure heart! Living for the purpose of God, having a mindful devotion to God. Having a pure heart means living by the rules of God that bring moral purity. The initial use of the word “pure” in the Bible was in the sense of “clean” as opposed to “unclean” – clean or unclean animals, clean or unclean foods, the clean or unclean condition of a person. I believe the Matthews scripture is putting forward the belief that "blessed" refers to the state of being of those who put their trust in God which the illustration of the physical manifestation of whom is Jesus.

Question 6

Light you’re the light of the world (5:14–16). In this section, Jesus declares that we are called to shine the light. When begins by stating: “You are the light of the world.” He means that we can make the world a better place, it is up to us to make that happen. People often get very disturbed of today’s worlds darkness. World is considered as a sinful place, so if it is sinful, it dark. The world has become more dark without any direction because the world is not light, so if we really embrace that Jesus is the light and we are here in this earth to reflect Him as a disciple of Jesus Christ, the world would become a better place to live.

The second verse I am choosing is when Jesus is teaching about the lust: ‘You shall not commit adultery.’But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mathews 5:27-29). Jesus suggest to cut out the eye that was looking a the other women as it is considered to poisoned to the rest of the body. Mathews 5:29 suggestion is every descriptive. Jesus said:” If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” I would not suggest it literally, but metaphorically speaking absolutely. “Wondering eyes” destroy a lots of lives and break up many families. Today’s world technology make it even easier. If we would take it more seriously the fact that looking and thinking about another person while one has made a commitment, it would not even give the “seed” of temptation to have an opportunity to be rooted in the first place