Jn 12: 42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Nicodemus was one of these secret believers-
Under cover of darkness, -
Nicodemus goes to Jesus spiritually hungry, and full of curiosity - (Jn. 3).
This nocturnal visit speaks volumes about Nicodemus’ spiritual condition.
He feels the call of God upon his heart,
He is acknowledging he is not satisfied with his experience in God
He comes searching
but he comes in private for fear loosing his place of influence.
He is a teacher of the law,
He desperately wants to ask honest questions
Not the loaded ones his friends blindly ask during the day
He comes alone, afraid, covertly
The private visit also speaks volumes about Nicodemus charter
Nicodemus is a coward.
By day he probably stayed in back of the crowd, maybe pushing others forward. Not hurling accusations and insults, He was watching, curious, self-conscious, afraid.
That Nicodemus had a soft spot for Jesus is evident in John 7:50. He puts up a weak partial defense as Jesus is being tried.
This is a critical moment in his life, he is eager to debate, to find good in both sides, to let there be a fair hearing, but mostly to put off the need to make a decision.
Cowards always put off making any tough decisions. When forced into a corner they will always take the path of least resistance.
This overly conciliatory tendency does not hedge on virtue, quite the opposite. Nicodemus choose a way of inquiry that supports, not subverts, the dominant power structure. Why did he do that? It protected him from being forced to stand alone and make any decision.
His conscience and mind were probably screaming.....
"A innocent man is about to be unjustly put to death, say something Nicodemus!"
Again he was a coward.
A few harsh words shut up Nicodemus’ weak question. He keeps quiet after his scolding by fellow Pharisees until Jesus is dead and gone.
Even then, he doesn’t say another word.
The gospel story leaves his life a open question mark. The last we see of him, he and Joseph of Arimathea, are tending Jesus’ body. The reader gets one more reminder about, “Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus by night…” (cf.19:39).
Nicodemus brings from his wealth a hundred pounds of fragrant ointment for Jesus body, and gives him a proper burial, according to custom.
To little too late...
Let's be honest, he was anointing his guilty conscience as much as he was the Lords body.
Revelation 21:8 But as for cowards and the unfaithful, and the polluted, and murderers, fornicators, and those who practise magic or worship idols, and all liars--the portion allotted to them shall be in the Lake which burns with fire and sulphur. This is the Second Death." (WEY)
The call of God always calls us to action...
To buck the tide...
To go against popular opinion...
Here are a few quotes
"Comfort and not righteousness is the cowards concern"
"Guilty consciences always make people cowards."
"The cowards never started—and the weak died along the way."
"Cowards can never be moral.”
“Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.” Hmmmm!
“Dishonesty, cowardice and duplicity are never impulsive.” hmmmmm!
“A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.”
“Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men.”
“Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.”
"Even cowards can endure hardship; only the brave can endure the suspense"
"A great deal of talent is lost in the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves a number of obscure men, who have only remained in obscurity because their timidity has prevented them from making a first effort."
"The coward calls himself loyal, the miser calls himself thrifty."
"Bravery is not the absence of fear, it is doing what is right in spite of that fear"
Dictionary
cow·ard [kou-erd]
-noun
1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.
-adjective
2. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.
3. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity: a coward
Synonyms:
alarmist, baby, caitiff, chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver, craven, cur, dastard, deserter, faintheart, faint-of-heart, fraidy-cat, funk, gutless, invertebrate, jellyfish, lily liver, malingerer, mouse, pessimist, poltroon, quitter, rabbit, recreant, scaredy cat, shirk, shirker, skulker, sneak, weakling, white liver, wimp, yellow, yellow belly
Antonyms:
aggressor, hero
I found this quote and thought it was worth posting by it's self
"Fatigue makes cowards of us all."
Vince Lombardi
As always thank you for reading. I pray this helps to motivate you to become your best.
Your comments are always welcomed. Thank you for reading.
Lm
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