Such was Nicodemus—"A man of the Pharisees." In plain and unmistakable language his religious associations are told us. Unlike many today who hide their religion, showing it only as occasion requires, he stands out boldly among his fellows, "a man of the Pharisees" and a "ruler of the Jews.”
There were none like the Pharisees in the day in which he lived—a man was estimated according to his religious zeal and devotion. Standing at the corners of the streets to be seen by all, they made broad their phylacteries, and enlarged the borders of their garments. When they fasted they disfigured their faces that they might appear unto men to fast. When they prayed their prayers were long, intended more for the ears of men than for the ear of the living God.
We do not intend to convey to our readers that we believe such was the character of Nicodemus. Doubtless he was an honest man, looked up to and revered by all; hut this "master of Israel," of the most religious sect of his day, standing high above his fellows like the young man in the gospel, had one thing lacking. It mattered not who he was, or to what religious party he belonged—it might be the most orthodox and correct—yet he was outside the kingdom of God, and needed to be born again ere he could see or enter into it.
How many thousands there are today who, like Nicodemus, pride themselves on a fair profession! They boast in an orthodox creed: baptized, confirmed, and admitted to church membership; yet with all their outward attainments and advantages, they are going religiously down to hell, professors but not possessors.
Is the reader of the sect of the Pharisees? That body has a large membership today. In other words, are you preferring religion to Christ, an orthodox creed to the blessed Son of God? Are you priding yourself, my friend, on not being as other men are, thanking God perhaps that you are no thief, drunkard, or profane person? You may well be thankful you are not; but let me tell you, my friend, "Ye must be born again." Turn not in anger from this plain truth, for, "except a man be born again... he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Many there are who are seeking salvation by human merit. Vain indeed is their effort to gain it thus, since salvation is God's free gift to sinners through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is "not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9). How overwhelming is this statement by the Apostle Paul! He once, like Nicodemus, was "a man of the Pharisees." But Paul learned that all his Pharisee-ism would not do for God; and he counted all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, that he might be found in Him, not having righteousness which was by the law, but the righteousness of God by faith (see Phil. 3:8, 98Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:8‑9)).
Nicodemus had to learn that human goodness would not do for God. Man is away from God, a sinner by practice, lost and guilty. But blessed be God, along with the declaration of man's terrible condition and deep, deep need comes the revelation of God's love. That is, man must be born again. He must receive a new nature before he can have to say to God or receive from Him; so the blessed Son of man must be lifted up "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Eternal life God's free gift to man is now offered to all who believe on His Son. "He that believeth on the Son bath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).
Remember, my reader, if you are but a professor and not a possessor of Christ, religious but having been brought to God, that, like Nicodemus, the man of the Pharisees, "ye must be born again.”