I was reading this week in John chapter 3 about a man who was a big-time fan. His name was Nicodemus. He wasn’t just any man. He was well known and well respected. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, an elite group of community and religious leaders. In John 3, Nicodemus comes to talk to Jesus about follow He was a member of the Sanhedrin, an elite group of community and religious leaders. In John 3, Nicodemus comes to talk to Jesus about following him. There is an easily missed detail of this story in verse 2: Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Why would he come to Jesus at night? Because he was willing to have a relationship with Jesus but not one that people would notice. Nicodemus was an admirer of Jesus, to be sure, but he was a really more of a secret admirer. For there would be much to loose if people found out about his admiration for the renegade homeless rabbi that used to be a carpenter from Galilee. If he were to follow Jesus it would cost him. It would cost him a powerful position. It would cost him the respect of his coworkers. It would cost friendships and, most likely, family relationships.

So what does Jesus tell Nicodemus, his secret admirer? He tells Nicodemus that righteous acts and religious rituals aren’t enough, but that he must be born-again. Do you see what Jesus does? He calls Nicodemus out of the shadows and into the light. If Nicodemus wanted a relationship with him it would have to be out in the open. He didn’t just want Nicodemus at night. He wanted Nicodemus during the day. In that moment Nicodemus has a decision to make. Would he remain an admiring fan or would he become a devoted follower? When he meets with Jesus in John 3 we’re left hanging. Will he decide to follow Jesus even though it will cost him greatly?

The next time we meet up with Nicodemus is in John 7. Part of the Sanhedrin’s role was to judge false prophets, and the group has gathered together to find a reason to silence Jesus. Then in verse 51 Nicodemus steps out of the darkness and into the light as he speaks in defense of Jesus. “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

And then there is one more brief reference to Nicodemus in John 19:34. Jesus has been crucified and his body is being prepared for burial. We read that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds. This would have been an extremely expensive and costly gesture. There was no longer any chance of hiding his affection. It seems he had officially moved from admiration to devotion.

Was there a time you stepped out of the darkness and made it clear that you were following Jesus?

What are some ways that you follow Jesus at night?

When’s the last time that following Jesus cost you something?

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