Quiet Talks on Power | Page 3

This man Nicodemus clearly
was deeply impressed by the young preacher from up in Galilee. He
wants to find out more of him. But he shrank back from exposing
himself to criticism by these influential people for his possible
friendship with the young radical, as Jesus was regarded. So one day he
waits until the friendly shadows will conceal his identity, and slipping
quietly along the streets, close up to the houses so as to insure his
purpose of not being recognized, he goes up yonder side street where
Jesus has lodgings. He knocks timidly. "Does the preacher from up the
north way stop here?" "Yes." "Could I see him?" He steps in and
spends an evening in earnest conversation. I think we will all readily
agree that Nicodemus believed Jesus after that night's interview,
however he may have failed to understand all He said. Yes, we can say
much more--he loved Him. For after the cruel crucifixion it is this man
that brings a box of very precious spices, weighing as much as a
hundred pounds, worth, without question, a large sum of money, with
which to embalm the dead body of his friend. Ah! he loved Him. No
one may question that.
But turn now to the seventh chapter of John. There is being held a
special session of the Jewish Senate in Jerusalem for the express
purpose of determining how to silence Jesus--to get rid of Him. This
man is a member of that body, and is present. Yonder he sits with the
others, listening while his friend Jesus is being discussed and His

removal--by force if need be--is being plotted. What does he do? What
would you expect of a friend of Jesus under such circumstances? I
wonder what you and I would have done? I wonder what we do do?
Does he say modestly, but plainly, "I spent a whole evening with this
man, questioning Him, talking with Him, listening to Him. I feel quite
sure that He is our promised Messiah; and I have decided to accept Him
as such." Did he say that? That would have been the simple truth. But
such a remark plainly would have aroused a storm of criticism, and he
dreaded that. Yet he felt that something should be said. So, lawyer-like,
he puts the case abstractly. "Hmm--does our law judge a man without
giving him a fair hearing?" That sounds fair, though it does seem rather
feeble in face of their determined opposition. But near by sits a burly
Pharisee, who turns sharply around and, glaring savagely at Nicodemus,
says sneeringly: "Who are you? Do you come from Galilee, too? Look
and see! No prophet comes out of Galilee"--with intensest contempt in
the tone with which he pronounces the word Galilee. And poor
Nicodemus seems to shrink back into half his former size, and has not
another word to say, though all the facts, easily ascertainable, were
upon his side of the case. He loved Jesus without doubt, but he had no
power for Him among men because of his timidity. Shall I use a plainer,
though uglier, word--his cowardice? That is not a pleasant word to
apply to a man. But is it not the true word here? He was so afraid of
what they would think and say! Is that the sort of christian you are?
Believing Jesus, trusting Him, saved by Him, loving Him, but shrinking
back from speaking out for Him, tactfully, plainly, when opportunity
presents or can be made. A christian, but without positive power for
Him among men because of cowardice!
I can scarcely imagine Nicodemus walking down the street in
Jerusalem, arm in arm with another Pharisee-member of the Sanhedrin
and saying to him quietly, but earnestly: "Have you had a talk with this
young man Jesus?" "No, indeed, I have not!" "Well, do you know, I
spent an evening with Him down at His stopping place, and had a long,
careful talk with Him. I am quite satisfied that He is our
long-looked-for leader; I have decided to give Him my personal
allegiance; won't you get personally acquainted with Him? He is a
wonderful man." I say I have difficulty in thinking that this man

worked for Jesus like that. And yet what more natural and proper, both
for him and for us? And what a difference it might have made in many
a man's life. Powerless for Jesus because of timidity! Is that the kind
you are? Possibly some one thinks that rather hard on this man. Maybe
you are thinking of that other member of the Sanhedrin--Joseph of
Arimathea--who was also a follower of Jesus, and that quite possibly he
may have been influenced by Nicodemus. Let us suppose, for
Nicodemus' sake, that this is so, and then mark the