The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-07-15
Great Personages
of the Bible
By
REV. LEONARD A. BARRETT
Nicoden1us

nj W 40 q Jew Will "a
~ Greek name. He was a type Of
the aristocracy of his age. He came
to Jesus by night. He viii always be
known for this particular act. Some
people think the act of seeking an au-
dience with Jesus at night was due
to cowardice. May it not have been
matter Of convenience? Jesus was
very busy so was Nicodemus. He
therefore sought an interview at an
hour when both would be free Of all
disturbances.
Nicodemus was a ruler among the
Jews. What others might think of
his interview with jesus could not pos
sibly have given him grave concern.
He was too independent for that. Nico-
demus admired Jesus. He was very
DESTROYS Of knowing the secret of
Jesus power and influence. He came
to Him seeking for truth in terms of
material values. Jesus answers his
questions in terms of spiritual values.
Eye must be born again" Nicodemus
was greatly puzzled He could not I'M
derstand what Jesus was talking
about. 1t was new language to him,
a revelation of a new world of reali-
ties. He could not understand how
he could ever be initiated into such
world of experience. Nicodemus adj
mired Jesus with his mind, but he gave
Him no room in his heart.
We next hear of Nicodemus at the
.soI
at the trial was Christianity, as Jesus
was teaching it, versus the tradition
alism of the Pharisees. In the midst
Of the trial, when the odds seemed to
be turning against Jesus, Nicodemus
suddenly appears upon the scene and
addresses the court in the following
words "Doth our law judge a man,
except it first hear from himself and
know what he doeth?" Nicodemus
seems very anxious that justice be
done to Jesus This defense is very
noble, only it lacks a very important
element. Nicodemus was loyal to a
principle the principle of justice and
fair play. He assumed no risk; no
one could offer any objection to his
claim. He was not willing, however,
to make himself responsible for Jesus.
Nicodemus was more loyal to prin-
ciple than to person. The influence
of Nicodemus could have done much
TO clear Jesus had he only said: 'He
is my friend; make myself respon-
sible for Him." Nicodemus was loyal
to an abstraction, but not loyal to a
person. Personality, not distractions,
civilized and exalt." Nicodemus be-.
lieved in Jesus, but he refused to fol-
low Him."
The last time we hear of Nicodemus
is shortly after the crucifxion of
Jesus. While they are in the act Of
removing the body Of Jesus, Plate
having granted Joseph of Aramathea
this privilege Nicodemus suddenly APP
pears upon the scene. 1t is just for
an instant of time, but his presence
there is very significant. He has
brought an offering which he desires
to give to Jesus without a previous
knowledge of what this offering was,
we might conclude it expressed
NAanSC VI nCdtl OI LllC IdlI VI INV
demus. Perhaps he had learned the
secret of the power of Jesus, had
found the key which unlocked the door
to that world of unseen realities. We
are disappointed again. The gift
which Nicodemus brought did not rep
resent such an attitude of mind. No,
for he carried his gift in his hand
rather than in his heart-and, To-
what is the gift mixture of myrrh
and aloes'-a mixture to be used in
embalming Jesus-flowers for the flu
neral. Again the real Jesus was lost
to Nicidemus--lost in the realms of
symbols. Silence closes about the
career of Nicodemus after this Incl
dent. We have no further informa'
ton about him.
Behold Him now where He comes!
Not the Christ of our subtle creeds,
But the light of our hearts, of our
homes,
OF our hopes. our prayers and our
needs,
The brother of want and blame,
The lover of women and men,
With a love that puts to shame
All passions of mortal ken.
oh, thou life Of the heart.
Never shalt thou depart
Not till the leaven Of Cod
Shall tighten each human clod
Not till the world shall climb
To thy height serene, sublime,
Shall the Christ who enters our door
Pass to return no more.
Richard Watson Glider in THE Pass
ing of Christ
90. 1926. Western Newspaper Union)
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