Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-17
&eadiuq fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBE RI LATHAM.
Original
JESUS AND NICODEMUS.

JESUS AND NICODEMUS.
In the third chapter of John, we find re.
corded an interesting conversation which took
place between our Saviour and Pharisee
named Nicodemus. So far as We remember,
mention is made of Ncodemus only three
times in the Scriptures. Nothing is directly
said concerning him in any of these places,
except that he was Pharisee and ruler of
the Jews. Inferentially, however, there is
much said in the third chapter of John about
Nicodemus. A little study will enable US to
discover in this chapter correct outline of
the man. The Talmudists make frequent
mention of one Ncodemus, which is supposed
to be the Identical person who came to Jesus
bv night. The Tamudists further say that
his proper name was not Nicodemus, but Bo.
mai, and that he was given the name Nicode-
mus, not because he conquered the people, as
the word would indicate if derived from the
Greek; but that it is derived from the He
brew and was given to him because the sun
shone out for him." The story upon which
the whole thing is founded is as follows:
AT one time, all Israel came up to Jeru.
salem to the feast, and there was scarcity of
water. This Bonai, the son of Gorion, in or.
der to supply the people, asked certain rich
man to lend him twelve wells, or cisterns OF
water, or to hire them to him for twelve tai,
ents of silver. The latter was accepted and
a day appointed for payment, but no rain had
fallen and the wells were empty. Bonai re-
tired to his closet and having covered himself
prayed earnestly for rain. Soon the rain fell in
torrents, and the wells were filled to overflow
ing with water But the sun was down and
the day of payment gone. The rich man was
displeased with Bonai because he had not, &C
cording to agreement. paid the twelve talents
of silver. Bonai again retired to his closet
and prayed that the clouds might be dispersed
and the sun made to shine, and thus bring
back the day. This prayer also was answered
and he was named Nicodemus "because the
sun shone out for him."
No credence, we suppose, is to be given tc
this story. 1t serves, however, as historic
link in the life of Bonai, by which we are en-
abled to conclude, with some degree of Ger
tainty, that he and the Ncodemus that came
to Jesus by night we're Identical. This Bonai
for whom the sun shone out, is recorded by
the Talmudists as one Of the disciples of Je
sus. We further learn from the Talnudstt
that this Nicodemus was one of the three rich
est men among the Jews, at the time Jerusa
lem was besieged by Titus but that all hi
wealth was taken from his family and they
reduced to the most abject poverty.
So much-and it is very unsatisfactory
may be learned from the Talmudists concern
ing Nicodemus. Let US turn to the New Tes
lament, and see what we can CLEAN from il
concerning this nobeman. There must have
been something very remarkable in the cir
cumstance that Nicodemus came to Jesus "by
night" since the fact is always mentioned in
connection with his name. When some Of the
multitude were angry because Jesus was moi
seized and dealt with in an unlawful manner
Nicodemus interfered in his behalf. John
7:5l. After Jesus had been crucifed, Nico
demus assisted Joseph, of Arimathea, in pre-
pairing the body of the Saviour for burial
John 19: 3S These, we think, are the only
passages of Scripture in which the name Of
Nicodemus appears, and in both it is said thai
he was the same person that came a. first tc
Jesus "by night"
If it is asked what knowledge can the
phrase "by night" give us of Nicodemus, We
answer, a great deal. First, it enables US tc
discover that Nicodemus was timid man
He was a ruler of the Jews-a member Of the
Sanhedrim-and if any credence is to be Civ
en- the Talmudists, man of great wealth be-
sides. His position in society and his posses
sions had direct tendency to make him in
dependent. Instead, however of coming bold
ly in open day to Jesus, he comes "by night
Had he come by day, it would have shown
that he was Indifferent as to what the common
populace, or the rest of the rulers Of the
Jews, might say about his visiting Jesus Of
Nazareth. The fact that he came to Jesus
"by night" shows that he was not only afraid
of the popular clsmor, but that he was under
religious conviction.
Jesus had but recently, perhaps on the day
just gone, performed many miracles and driv
en- those who had converted the house of God
into house of merchandise, away in disgrace
Nicodemus had been an eyewitness of these
things, or, at least, he had heard them spoken
of. No doubt the miracles of Jesus and biz
wonderful conversation, had been talked ol
in the council chamber of the rulers of the
Jews. A good impression was made upon
Nicodemus, and led by Gods holy spirit, he
came to Jesus by night to be instructed more
perfectly. Another thing that may be said Of
Nicodemus is, that although he was Master
in Israel, he was but poorly instructed with
regard to the nature of the kingdom of heav.
en-. From the instruction given by the Sa
vour, we are able to infer what were some Of
the mistaken notions of Nicodemus concern
ing the gospel dspensation. No doubt he
thought the prerequisites to entering the king.
dom of heaven we're similar to those required
of Genties iu order to enter the Jewish church
In the initiation of prose yte into the Jew
ish church, three things were observed. The
individual was 6rst circupcsed, then baptized
and finally sacrifice was offered up. The
observance of these ceremonies by Gentle,
in the presence of at least three Jews, was re.
garded by the Jews as kind of new BIRTH OF
being born again. Thus Maimonides says
"A Gentle who is becomea proselyte, and a
servant who is set at liberty, are both, as it
were, new born babes
No doubt Nicodemus thought that by some
such ceremony, he could be initiated into the
kingdom of heave, even that night. With.
out making an open avoVal of his purpose
he acknowledged Jesus as teacher come
from God, and cited the miracles performed
by the Saviour as proof of this.
There was something in the words: "Verily,
verify. say unto thee, except man be born
again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven
These words, uttered by the Saviour, startled
Nicodemus. They involved, he thought an i'm.
possibility. All his preconceived notions of the
kingdom of heaven were shown to be erroneous