Nicodemus and the Secret-Service Christians

John 3:1-15 (KJV)

The opening of John, chapter 3, introduces Nicodemus as a leader of the Jews who "came to Jesus by night." Through the centuries this poor soul has received bad press from Christian pulpits around the world. "Why couldn't he come out in the daylight?" Preachers have even been quick to apply this verse side-by-side with Mark 8:38 or its parallels, referring to those ashamed to confess Jesus before the world, and Jesus' shame to confess them before the Father.

So Nicodemus came to Jesus by night in chapter 3.

Maybe there is more to look at than a cowardly man who didn't want to be seen in the daylight talking to this controversial figure. Maybe there is more because of its placement so early in the book. After all, Jesus had done very little by that time to identify himself as the Word Made Flesh (John's words in 1:14), or the Lamb of God whose mission it was to take away the world's sin (again, the Baptist's words in 1:29).

By the time we meet Nicodemus, Jesus has done only these things:
He invited Andrew to "come and see" where he was staying.
He invited Philip to follow him.
He pointed to Nathanael as an honest Israelite.
He saved a host from embarrassment in chapter 2 by turning water into wine.

Not much controversial there, would you say?

Oh, there is that other thing. He rebuked the merchants and money-changers who were exploiting the people in the temple. But surely the devout of the religious rulers would not be offended at something as righteous as that! After all, the religious leaders were not part of the "den of thieves" Jesus was talking about. Was this not before religious leaders took "commissions" from the sales of items in the houses of worship?

Well, all right. Maybe Jesus did become controversial by the time Nicodemus showed up in chapter 3.

Since Nicodemus "came to Jesus by night," can we make a case for anything but fear of loss or dishonor? Probably not, since throughout Scripture night and darkness often carried the implication of hidden deeds.

For Nicodemus' position among the rulers, he did have to be careful about his visibility. He undoubtedly had a real, and in all honesty, justifiable, fear of being seen with people of controversy. For Nicodemus, claiming any relationship with Jesus had a cost associated with it.

But it may be appropriate to give Nicodemus credit for one thing: he went to Jesus. Period. That act alone set him apart from every one of the other leaders of his time. At least, John doesn't name anyone else in Nicodemus' crowd who went to Jesus.

To what extent does that act set Nicodemus apart from so many millions of people today? Do American Christians fear or blush to speak of their faith, for fear of losing their jobs or facing ridicule? The answer is for you to consider, not for me to answer. (At the same time, if you would like to step away from reading this and go to Jesus yourself, that would be fine. We'll be here when you get back.)

Here is a controversial thought. In the 1980s the Christian radio stations played a song titled "Secret Service Christians." Unfortunately, my search for lyrics and music has been unsuccessful. Essentially, a "secret service Christian" is someone who will "go along to get along" but will not stand publicly for Jesus either as God the Son or as the needed and only Savior. He or she may admit to being a Christian, and may even identify his or her church. But such a Christian is quiet when confronted with such universalist comments as "all roads lead to God" or "there's very little difference between religions" or (my favorite) "don't shove your beliefs down our throats [while we will shove ours down yours]." The arguments sound good. The most convincing one is that if you remain quiet, you can possibly convince folks later in a different way. It's a variation of the argument that if you run away, you live to fight another day.

All of this makes good preaching material, so it's the sort of thing you would expect to hear on a Sunday morning. But here is where the real controversy comes with me. Those who call for a bold proclamation of faith are curiously silent about missionaries who sneak around in hostile lands. These are the ones who enter the hostile countries disguised as carpenters or agricultural advisers, and secretly distribute Bibles and hold worship services. It is amazing to hear the Christian talk shows interviewing these secret missionaries, extolling the virtues of their deceptive practices in witnessing to the One who called Himself "the Truth."

It is true that there is justification to this "secret service Christian" practice. Speaking bluntly, a dead missionary distributes no Bibles. But if this witness dies for the faith, that martyrdom might be the seed of some amazing conversions. After all, it has happened before. The early Church Fathers may have something to say about an open testimony to the Risen One.

There is no easy answer to this, and the reason may come as a surprise. While in some places confessing of Jesus is a capital offense, the more "civilized" societies have bought George Orwell's principle as stated in the book 1984. The government interrogator said that they do not want martyrs, so they simply discredit those who voice a doctrine contrary to that of the state. (Could this be coming soon to a government near you?)

Back to Nicodemus. First of all, the text does not say that he came once, nor does it say that this is his first time to come to Jesus. In fact, it might be appropriate to consider that the man had been visiting with Jesus on multiple occasions. Even if he had not come previously, at least he knew where to find Jesus.

Notice that Jesus honors him for coming, and he engages in conversation. It may not be the conversation that Nicodemus would have expected, but it was what Nicodemus needed to hear. Nicodemus gives all he has, risking as far as he is able. Jesus takes this opportunity to talk about being born again, and to mention the Spirit.

The Gospel passage I've chosen stops just short of the famous verse, John 3:16. But even though Nicodemus gives little at the time, it becomes the prelude to the expression of some of the critical doctrines of the Church.

Nicodemus gave little, but by meeting Jesus he was transformed. In 7:50-52 he protests to the Sanhedrin against their plot to do away with Jesus. In John 19:39 he participates in the preparation for the anointing and burial of the body of Jesus. It is fair to assume that the man was changed, and there can be little doubt that he became a man of true faith.

Maybe if we bring ourselves to Jesus, whether in our strength or our fears, he will honor us for bringing all we are and all we have to give. And truly, if we bring ourselves to Jesus in all honesty, we might also find ourselves transformed.

Nicodemus knew where to look for Jesus. Do you?

Grace and Peace,
Charles+