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Nicodemus’ Third Dilemma: To Come to the Cross or Not?
- Fred Farrokh
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
This final blog in our Nicodemus series features his final mention in the New Testament. John records each appearance of Nicodemus, with each one featuring a difficult dilemma facing the member of the Jewish Sanhedrin.
In his first dilemma, narrated in John 3, Nicodemus needed to decide whether to come visit Jesus. His religious colleagues were hardening in their position against Jesus, but Nicodemus wisely decided to come speak to Jesus and get his information first-hand. Thus, he came to Jesus by night and heard some amazing things from Jesus, such as the famous verse, John 3:16:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Nicodemus faced a second dilemma somewhat suddenly in John 7. Some Jewish celebrants of the Feast of Booths became believers in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. Others, including the religious leadership, opposed such belief in Christ.
At a crucial moment, the Pharisees issued the challenge that none of the Sanhedrin had believed in Jesus! Nicodemus bravely raised his voice at that moment, instructing others not to prejudge Jesus, but to hear from Him themselves. While this was not a full public “conversion testimony,” it was of form of advocacy that drew sneering derision from his colleagues. They suggested Nicodemus might also be from backward Galilee, thus covering him with the same reproach that Jesus faced.
A Crisis Emerges when Jesus Dies
The Jewish religious leaders, led by the Sanhedrin, continued their trajectory of suspicion, jealousy, and rejection toward Jesus. In the wider sphere, many Jewish people became followers of Christ. These disciples would spread His fame locally and throughout the world. However, the religious leadership was largely set against the idea that Jesus the Nazarene carpenter could be the promised Messiah.
As we know, the chain of events concluded with the Passover Lamb being crucified on Good Friday of Passover weekend. Nicodemus must have watched these events with much concern and pain. He tried to speak up during his second dilemma noted in John 7. He encouraged his religious brethren not to prejudge Jesus but to hear Him personally before deciding if He was the Messiah. Nevertheless, the current of events took a different turn, resulting in Jesus being crucified.
John picks up his narrative immediately after the death of Christ:
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42)
Notably, Matthew, Mark, and Luke only describe Joseph of Arimathea's role in Jesus’ burial. John alone mentions Nicodemus’ role working with Joseph of Arimathea. This suggests Nicodemus shared these experiences in a later interview with John.
Nicodemus’ Third Dilemma: To Come to the Cross or Not?
When Nicodemus learned that Jesus had died, his attention turned to giving an honorable burial to the Messiah. A spirit of persecution still filled the atmosphere, so any public connection to Jesus could spell trouble. Nicodemus therefore faced his third dilemma: should he go to the cross of Calvary or not?
Nicodemus bravely decided to move forward. He brought 100 pounds of spices, including myrrh and aloes, to Golgotha. As the wise man from the east brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to celebrate Jesus’ birth, this wise Jewish member of the Sanhedrin brought myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus for burial. This action was public. There was no hiding. Many Jewish visitors were in Jerusalem for Passover. It would be difficult to escape notice. Yet, Nicodemus refused to sit idly by. He went to the cross.
Nicodemus Discovers He is Not Alone
When Nicodemus arrived at the cross, he discovered that he was not alone! Another member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, had come there, too. We don’t know much about Joseph. He is not mentioned except for the burial passages in the Gospels. Joseph was a secret believer up until that point, due to fear of persecution. He too tapped into God’s courage. Joseph approached Pilate about giving an honorable burial to Jesus.
Had Joseph “gone public” with his belief in Christ, then Nicodemus would surely have known about it. However, the two members of a religious body which had set itself in opposition to Christ eventually met together at Calvary. They did so in an atmosphere marked by fear and secrecy. Yet, these two Jewish Sanhedrin members would play a key role in salvation history in the hours between Jesus’ burial and glorious resurrection.
A Lesson for Muslims and Inquirers and MBBs: We Are Not Alone
Many Muslim inquirers as well as Muslim-background believers in Christ (MBBs) wrestle with isolation. Frequently there is a sense of being alone. Muslim families and societies do not typically applaud faith deviation away from Islam. This holds true especially for Muslim clerics. Their systems are set up to oppose the gospel. Nicodemus could relate to this dilemma.
As an MBB myself, I encourage Muslims to retrace the path of Nicodemus and Joseph to the cross of Christ. Ironically, all spiritual life flows from this place of death because Jesus rose in victory over the grave. Sometimes passing one test creates other ones for Muslim inquirers and those who eventually become believers in Christ. Many excruciating dilemmas await. Yet, Jesus does not leave us to fend for ourselves. He empowers us by the Holy Spirit even to face suspicion, isolation, and rejection.
Nicodemus as a Trailblazing Example
Nicodemus, in standing up for Jesus, would probably never win a popularity contest among the Sanhedrin. He likely disqualified himself for any promotion in their political pecking order. Yet, he provided an inspirational example of a religious clergyman following Christ even when his colleagues did not. The Acts of the Apostles describes the situation just a few years later: “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7)
Some Muslim clerics are turning in repentance to faith in Christ. Such decisions often trigger scorn and rejection from colleagues. Yet, people can never be sure how their decisions, positive or negative, may affect others. Those Muslims who chose to leave Islam to follow Christ also provide a glowing example even in the midst of persecution.
Conclusion: Don’t Shrink Back
Though inquiring Muslims and MBBs face many challenges and dilemmas to walk with Christ, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit gives abundant grace. As the writer of Hebrews says: “We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Heb. 10:39).
Nicodemus provides a wonderful biblical example to help us courageously face the dilemmas in front of us. First, he boldly decided to visit Jesus by night. Second, he courageously advocated that his colleagues not dismiss Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah. Third, he went to the cross, which is the source of life for us all.
And all of this happened because God so loved the world…
