Face To Face with The Skeptic

Introduction

The main text of this lesson will be John 3:1-21 and John 7:1-51

It is my custom before I write a sermon to read the full accounts and text so I have context. It might help your understanding if you do so as well.

We begin our new series, "Face to Face with Jesus of Nazareth." Throughout the Gospels, Jesus encountered people from every imaginable background. Some were rich, some were poor. Some were respected, while others were rejected. Some believed immediately, while others struggled with doubt. Yet every one of these encounters teaches us something about Christ and something about ourselves. To be honest, the idea behind these lessons came from the resentment I feel towards the often commercialized and watered down image of Jesus. There was one time that my family was visiting a denominational church for a non-religious event that was being held there. In this church, they had a large banner which read “Jesus is love”. Now, this was some time ago but I remember my dad sort of turning up his nose. So, I had to ask why he was doing that. His answer stuck with me. He said “Because they would have you believe that is all He is.” The further I get in life and the more I see Jesus portrayed, I’ve come to know that watered down Jesus. The version of Him that is nothing more than a lovely fairytale that carries little weight. However, one thing I know is that Jesus lived in poor circumstances. He was born to a poor family, had a carpenter father, and was mocked, ridiculed, and tested his entire life. It is easy to hear the account of Jesus of Nazareth and forget that He lived a good while before Calvary’s hill. Jesus was and is a real man who lived a real life and we need to recognize that. When I had first thought about what a series like this could look like, I had no idea where to start. However, it wasn’t long before I thought about a man who embodies a point that we’ve all been at: Skeptical. Our first encounter is with a man named Nicodemus. He was not an enemy of Jesus, nor was he one of His disciples. He was a skeptic. He had questions. He was curious. He was searching for answers. I believe many people today can relate to Nicodemus because we live in a world filled with questions and doubts. It’s extremely hard to go very far in this life without finding something new to be confused about. The good news is that Jesus was willing to meet Nicodemus where he was. As I go about this series, a question that I will always ask is a simple one. Who were they?

John begins this account by telling us that Nicodemus was a Pharisee.

John 3:1 

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.”

In modern times, that title often carries a negative meaning because of the many confrontations Jesus had with the Pharisees. However, in the eyes of the average Jew, a Pharisee was a highly respected religious leader. These men devoted themselves to studying the Law of Moses and teaching others. They were known for their commitment to religion and their desire to preserve God's commands. Nicodemus was not an atheist. He was not a pagan. He was not someone who had ignored spiritual things his entire life. He was a religious man. He knew Scripture. He attended worship. He sought to live according to God's law. Yet despite all of that, there was something missing in his life. His story reminds us that religious activity alone does not guarantee a right relationship with God. A person can know Bible stories, attend church regularly, and still need to draw closer to Christ.

John also tells us that Nicodemus was "a ruler of the Jews." This very likely means that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jewish people. He was educated. He was influential. He was respected. People listened when Nicodemus spoke. Few people wish to have a life better than this. Yet even this influential man found himself searching for answers. Sometimes we assume that education, success, or status will satisfy the deepest needs of the heart. 

Jesus Himself taught otherwise.

Luke 12:15

"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" 

Nicodemus reminds us that no amount of knowledge or influence can replace a good and honest relationship with God. The soul longs for something greater than earthly success. It is built in our nature to want more. To want to serve something greater than anything we fully encounter on this planet.

Ephesians 2:10 

"We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Also, Nicodemus was a very curious man. John tells us that he came to Jesus by night. Much has been said about why he came at night. Perhaps he feared what others would think. Perhaps he wanted privacy. Perhaps he simply had the opportunity then. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Nicodemus wanted answers. Look at what he says.

John 3:2

"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."

Nicodemus could not ignore what he had seen. The miracles of Jesus forced him to ask questions.  This is a necessary mindset to have in order to meet Jesus fully. You have to want truth and wisdom or, at the very least, be willing to accept it when it finds you. We know this from scripture

Proverbs 2:4-6

"and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

He was not yet convinced of everything, but he was willing to investigate. There are many people like Nicodemus today. Some watch sermons online late at night. Some quietly read the Bible without telling anyone. Some attend worship while wrestling with doubts and questions. They are curious. They are searching. They want to know the truth. If you are one of those people, then I suggest you listen closely to this lesson. The encouraging thing about this story is that Jesus has never rejected an honest seeker.

What did Jesus do?

A common phrase that you hear is “What would Jesus do?” That really is one of the best questions ever asked. Thankfully, we don’t have to resort to speculating because of the numerous accounts we have in scripture. So the question we ask now is “how does Jesus interact with the Skeptical?” Those who are deciding what to do with that information they have? Let’s take a look at how Jesus reacted and how we should follow in His footsteps.

1. Jesus Prioritized the Most Important Thing First

One thing I love about this conversation is that Jesus never got distracted. Nicodemus began by complimenting 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." 

Most of us would have responded to that statement. We might have explained the miracles, talked about our authority, or thanked him for the compliment. But Jesus did none of those things.

Instead, Jesus immediately said in John 3:3

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Why? Because Jesus understood something that we often forget: there is a difference between what someone is talking about and what they actually need. Nicodemus wanted to discuss miracles. Jesus wanted to discuss salvation. Nicodemus was focused on who Jesus was. Jesus was focused on who Nicodemus needed to become.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently looked beyond the surface.  He wasn't interested in winning arguments or impressing people. He wanted to change hearts. He knew that if Nicodemus left that conversation simply convinced that Jesus was a miracle worker, nothing eternal would have changed. But if Nicodemus understood the necessity of being born again, his entire life could be transformed. 

There is an important lesson here for us. We live in a world full of distractions. People often become consumed with politics, finances, entertainment, careers, or even religious debates that never touch the heart. While some of those conversations do have value, we must never lose sight of what matters most. Jesus always kept eternity at the center of the conversation. Think about your own life for a moment. What occupies most of your thoughts? What do your conversations usually revolve around? If someone spent a week listening to you, would they conclude that the kingdom of God is your highest priority? Would they know that Jesus Christ is the foundation of your hope? Would they know heaven is your goal? Jesus teaches us that before we worry about everything else, we must first make sure our hearts are right with God. Everything else is secondary to that.

Jesus didn’t begin by discussing miracles. He didn’t spend time defending His authority. Instead, He addressed Nicodemus' greatest need.

2. Jesus Met Nicodemus Where He Was

Another thing that immediately stands out in this conversation is that Jesus met Nicodemus exactly where he was. Nicodemus was not yet one of His disciples. He was not fully convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He had questions, confusion, and perhaps even doubts. Yet Jesus never criticized him for asking questions. He never mocked him for not understanding. Even when Nicodemus asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?" Jesus did not become impatient or dismissive. Instead, He patiently continued explaining what Nicodemus needed to know.

John 3:4-8

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

He spoke of being born of water and the Spirit. He used the wind as an illustration of the work of the Spirit. Later, He referred back to Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness. This was an event Nicodemus would have known well as a teacher of Israel. Jesus didn't expect Nicodemus to already understand everything. Jesus understood that this was difficult for Nicodemus to hear. After all, he had spent years studying Scripture. He was respected by others. He had devoted himself to religion. Yet Jesus tells him that his understanding is insufficient.

John 3:10

You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

I believe there is an important lesson for us in that. Too often we become frustrated when people do not understand the Bible as quickly as we think they should. We forget that every one of us began somewhere. Some people are hearing the gospel for the first time. Others are trying to overcome years of false teaching. Others simply have honest questions that deserve honest answers. Jesus reminds us that people are not projects to be completed; they are souls to be guided. Rather than expecting everyone to begin where we are, we should patiently help them take the next step toward Christ. If we hope to bring others to Jesus, we must first be willing to meet them where they are.

3. Jesus Didn't Water Down the Truth

Perhaps the greatest lesson from this encounter is that Jesus refused to water down the truth. Think about who Nicodemus was. He was a Pharisee. He was a ruler of the Jews. He was one of the most respected religious leaders in the area. If anyone might have expected special treatment, it would have been Nicodemus. Yet Jesus showed him no favoritism. He did not soften His message because Nicodemus was influential. He did not avoid difficult subjects because he was speaking to a religious leader. Instead, Jesus looked this respected man in the eye and said, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." That statement completely challenged everything Nicodemus thought he knew about entering the kingdom. His heritage was not enough. His knowledge was not enough. His reputation was not enough. He needed to be changed from within.

Jesus spoke about powerful concepts in John 3:16-20

"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.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."

This is one of the things I admire most about Jesus. He loved people enough to tell them the truth, even when the truth was difficult to hear. He never sacrificed truth in order to gain popularity, and He never changed God's standard to make people feel comfortable. At the same time, He never used truth as a weapon. His purpose was never to embarrass Nicodemus or win an argument. His purpose was to save his soul. We live in a world that often encourages us to soften God's message so that it is more acceptable to modern culture. Yet Jesus teaches us that the most loving thing we can do is faithfully proclaim the truth as God has revealed it. Truth without love is harsh, but love without truth is not love at all. If we truly care about people, we must have the courage to lovingly tell them what God says, just as Jesus did.

What Did Nicodemus Do With What Jesus Said?

When we first leave Nicodemus in John 3, there is no dramatic conclusion.

John 3:22, which is the first verse after Jesus finishes talking, says nothing more about Nicodemus.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

John never tells us that Nicodemus was baptized that night or immediately became one of Jesus' followers. In fact, the conversation simply ends. At first, that almost feels disappointing. We like stories with immediate endings. We like to know exactly when someone changed. But life is often not that simple. Sometimes the seeds of truth take time to grow. Jesus planted those seeds in Nicodemus' heart, and over the rest of Jesus’ ministry we begin to see the fruit of that conversation.

The next time we encounter Nicodemus is in John 7. Jesus is no longer just a teacher gaining attention. He has become the center of a growing controversy.

The chapter opens with Jesus remaining in Galilee because according to John 7:1

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

Soon afterward, the Feast of Tabernacles begins, and although Jesus initially remains behind, He later travels to Jerusalem privately and begins teaching openly in the temple. His teaching astonishes the crowds, and opinions about Him become sharply divided. 

John 7:12

And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

Some declare Him to be "a good man," while others accuse Him of deceiving the people. The religious leaders become increasingly frustrated because they cannot explain His wisdom or deny His miracles.

The tension reaches its peak beginning in John 7:37, 38. John tells us, 

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 

These were extraordinary claims. Jesus was not merely presenting another lesson. He was inviting the entire nation to find true spiritual life in Him. Naturally, the people were divided.

Some in John 7:40-41 responded by saying, 

"Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee?" 

Even among those listening, there was confusion and disagreement about who Jesus really was. The chief priests and Pharisees, determined to stop Him, sent officers to arrest Jesus. Yet something remarkable happened. The officers returned empty-handed.

When questioned about their failure, they simply replied in John 7:46,

"No man ever spoke like this Man!" 

Rather than considering the possibility that Jesus truly was from God, the Pharisees mocked the officers and replied in John 7:47-48 

"Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?” 

In their minds, the case was already closed. They had no interest in fairly examining the evidence.

It is at this moment that Nicodemus speaks. In John 7:51, while he is surrounded by fellow rulers who have already condemned Jesus, he quietly asks, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" 

Notice what he’s doing. He is not openly proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, but he is willing to stand for fairness and truth, even when doing so places him at odds with his fellow rulers. The man who once came to Jesus under the cover of darkness is beginning to find his voice. His faith is still growing, but it is growing nonetheless.

The final time we read about Nicodemus is after the crucifixion in John 19. Jesus has been executed, and nearly everyone believes His movement has come to an end. This would have been the easiest time to quietly disappear and protect one's reputation. Instead, Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus' body for burial. 

John 19:38-42

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. 

John even tells us that Nicodemus brought about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes, an incredibly generous gift that demonstrated both respect and devotion. An ancient Roman pound (called a libra) weighed about 328.9 grams (11.6 ounces). A modern standard US/imperial pound (avoirdupois pound) weighs 453.6 grams (16 ounces), making the Roman pound lighter but not insignificant. In first-century Biblical terms, 100 Roman pounds of myrrh and aloes would cost roughly 30,000 denarii, which equaled about 83 years' worth of income for an average working man. There is a beautiful lesson for us in Nicodemus' journey. God does not expect all sincere seekers to arrive at the same level of spiritual maturity overnight. Honest questions are not the enemy of faith. In many cases, they are the beginning of it. Nicodemus kept listening. He kept thinking. He kept watching Jesus. Most importantly, he allowed the truth to change him. That is the difference between an honest skeptic and a hardened skeptic. An honest skeptic follows the evidence wherever it leads. A hardened skeptic refuses to believe regardless of the evidence.

Every Christian and Unbeliever alike has wrestled with difficult questions at some point in life. The real question is what we do after we hear the truth. Do we dismiss it because it challenges us? Do we ignore it because change would be uncomfortable? Or do we allow God's word to shape our hearts, even if the process takes time? Nicodemus reminds us that faith is not measured by how quickly we begin, but by whether we continue following Christ until the end.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our lesson this morning, I want us to consider one final passage. Earlier in John 7, before the events we have just discussed, John makes a remarkable statement about Jesus' own family.

In John 7:5, he writes, "For even His brothers did not believe in Him." Think about that for just a moment. These were the men who grew up in the same home as Jesus. They had watched Him throughout His life. They knew His character better than almost anyone else, and yet there came a time when they still struggled to believe that He truly was the Son of God. That should remind us that skepticism is not a modern problem. It has existed since the days of Christ Himself. Some doubted because they misunderstood Him. Some doubted because of pride. Others doubted because they simply needed more time and more evidence. Yet throughout His ministry, Jesus never stopped inviting honest seekers to come to Him.

Through this lesson we watched one of those honest seekers. We met a man who was religious, respected, and intelligent, yet still realized that something was missing. We watched Jesus refuse to be distracted by small talk and instead address the greatest need in Nicodemus' life. We saw Jesus patiently meet Nicodemus where he was, answering his questions without compromising the truth. We saw that Jesus loved him too much to water down God's message, even though He was speaking to one of the most influential men in Israel. Finally, we watched what Nicodemus did with that conversation. He did not become a fearless disciple overnight. Instead, he continued listening. He continued thinking. He continued following the evidence. Eventually, the man who first came to Jesus under the cover of darkness buried the crucified Savior.

Perhaps that describes you. Maybe you've been asking questions. Maybe you've been wrestling with doubts. Maybe you've been studying the Scriptures and trying to determine what is true. If so, don't stop searching. Jesus hasn’t turned away an honest seeker in over 2000 years and He won't turn you away today. Or perhaps you already believe that Jesus is the Christ. If that is the case, then learn from the Master. The story of Nicodemus is really the story of every one of us. At some point, we all have to decide what we will do when we come face to face with Jesus. Will we let our questions be answered?

Jesus' invitation has not changed. The only question that remains is this: What will you do now that you know how Jesus treats the Skeptic?

The Lord’s Invitation is simple

Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Believe the Gospel - John 8:24

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

Repent of Your Sins - Luke 13:3

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

Confess Christ - Romans 10:9-10

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Sins - Acts 2:38

"Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Live Faithfully - Revelation 2:10

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.