The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Visit of Nicodemus

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." - John 3:1-2

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and a leading man among the Jews, comes by night to declare to our Lord his belief in His Mission and to converse with Him.

The Pharisees were the most hopeless class among the Jews: bigoted, proud, selfish, hypocrites. Yet among the Pharisees there was at least one man of good-will who was drawn to our Lord by the words He spoke and the miracles He wrought. Hence, learn never to condemn any one because he belongs to a class of evil men. In Sodom was the just Lot; among sinners of abandoned life, Saint Mary Magdalen; among the Pharisees, Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a man of loyal soul, but he was timid in his loyalty. He did not dare to face the obloquy which he would have incurred by a public visit to our Lord. Men in high position, and especially men in a false position like that of the Pharisees, are, indeed, to be pitied. They are often very slaves to the opinion of others and their own supposed reputation or interest. Thank God if you are in a humble position, able to follow your conscience unhindered.

Our Lord does not refuse Nicodemus because he was ashamed to come to Him by day, or reproach him with cowardice. He knows the difficulties of his position and makes all allowance for them. He accepts the least mark of good-will, the least approach of the soul to Him. How good He is to us! How considerate to our weakness! How ready to overlook our many slights and our unkindness! This it is that almost compels us to love Him.

- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ