Daily Reflection
April 13, 2026

Our Gospel reading today introduces us to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and prominent Jewish leader. Nicodemus is named three times in the Gospel of John (and nowhere else in Scriptures) – the other two instances are in John 7, when he speaks on behalf of the right of the accused (Jesus) to have a hearing; and in John 19, when he provides spices for burying the body of the crucified Christ.

Let’s take a look at how Nicodemus arrived on the scene. First, he came at night. I have heard various speculations about the timing of the visit – perhaps he did not want to be seen with this carpenter who consorted with sinners and tax collectors. Let’s give Nicodemus the benefit of the doubt and say that he came at a time he found convenient for an uninterrupted conversation to determine whether Jesus was a potential ally or threat. Still, in that culture, to interrupt someone’s personal time by arriving so late was, at the least, inconsiderate. Perhaps Nicodemus thought Jesus would be flattered by the attention from an important official. His opening comments sound like the words of someone used to being in charge, in essence: “You will undoubtedly be happy to know that my friends and I have a favorable opinion of you as a teacher.” Teacher, in the context of social status, was lower on the social ladder than prophet, priest and “ruler of the Jews,” so while Nicodemus was complimentary, he certainly was not magnanimous. Then, after Jesus responded wonderfully about being “born from above,” Nicodemus dismissed the idea because it did not cleanly fit with his worldview.

It is humbling to think how much I can be like Nicodemus. Too often, I show up in prayer, worship, or service on my own schedule, when I find it convenient. Frequently, I self-righteously think my platitudes of praise should please God, especially considering what an upstanding person I am and how many “good” things I do. Many times, my initial response to God speaking – through Scriptures, homilies, prayers, etc. – is to dismiss anything that challenges me to see the world in new ways.

However, it would be a mistake to think that Nicodemus serves only as a model of what not to do. First, he came – at night, on his own timetable, true, but he sought Jesus. Do I hold tightly to my leisure time and my own desires when I should be seeking to connect with the Christ? Also, Nicodemus took correction (from someone he originally viewed as socially and religiously inferior). Do I take offense when I think someone has not shown me the respect I deserve? Do I respond defensively and angrily when I am wrong? Then, Nicodemus – a prominent Jewish official to whom people regularly deferred – allowed Jesus take charge of the meeting. Do I resist not being in control? He listened as Jesus challenged him to shift his beliefs and understandings. Do I accept what God tells me – in Scripture, at worship, in service, through prayer – only if it matches what I already think? We infer from John 7 and John 19 that Nicodemus maintained a relationship with Jesus. Do I avoid relationships because of the hurt from a perceived insult, or the sting of embarrassment from being corrected, or the discomfort of having my worldview challenged?

To recap: Nicodemus arrived a bit arrogantly; and he learned humility. Nicodemus wanted to know if Jesus was worthy enough to merit a relationship; and he discovered that he was the one who was not worthy. Nicodemus showed up likely satisfied with who he had become – a respected leader of the Jewish community, a Pharisee known for piety and knowledge of the Law; and in a short time, Jesus began the transformation of Nicodemus into a person whose words and actions would be more in line with what God wants. We should all be so lucky.