Lesson 333: NICODEMUS

Full Lesson HERE

INTRODUCTION. As Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the

kingdom, his fame spread throughout the land of Palestine (Israel), and many people

gathered to hear his words. Sometimes there were crowds, but sometimes Jesus

spoke to a few or even just one. Early in Jesus' ministry, one of the rulers of the

Jews approached him at night alone.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee which was a religious sect of the Jews. He was also a

member of the Sanhedrin, thus a "ruler of the Jews." The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish court of justice composed of seventy-one men. Why Nicodemus

came to Jesus at night we do not know, for the Bible does not tell us. He had heard

of, perhaps even seen, some of the miracles performed by Jesus and knew that only

a special person sent by God could do these signs and wonders.

Jesus taught Nicodemus some things about his kingdom that was at hand (Matt.

4:17), and the church He would establish (Matt. 16:18). This new kingdom (the

church) would have a new covenant or law (the New Testament), and the citizens

would be new creatures (II Cor. 5:17). In order to be a citizen of the new kingdom, a

person must be born of water and the Spirit. Nicodemus asked, "How can a man be?"