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Lessons From Nicodemus

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     Jesus and Nicodemus       Nicodemus was a Pharisee at the time of Christ's ministry. He is described in the Book of John as "a ruler of the Jews." This man of high prestige comes to Jesus by night, and gives this declaration, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him" (John 3:2).      Nicodemus recognized that Christ was a teacher sent from God. He may not have had the knowledge and testimony that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, the great Jehovah, but he did, at the very least, have the beginnings of faith. His is a unique case. As a learned man and a ruler, he occupied a high position in society. As a Pharisee, he belonged to a group of strict law keepers and ceremonialists. As is constantly expressed in the scriptures, the Pharisees were a great obstacle to the Savior.      It would be easy to label Nicodemus a coward, unwilling to come to Christ in the day, and only me
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Hierarchical Structure of Jewish Society

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          We learned in my New Testament class about the hierarchical structure of Jewish society at the time of Christ. At the top of the hierarchy were many of the Sadducees and elite rulers. Directly beneath them, were the wealthy merchants, military leaders, and other royal officials. The hierarchy continues until it reaches the bottom of Jewish society, which includes beggars, widows, prostitutes and so on. Jesus was born into what we might now call the middle class. He grew up working as a carpenter before he began his brief, three year ministry.       During his ministry, Christ did not limit himself to teaching any one particular caste of society. All were equal before Him. All were Sons of God in His eyes. One day He could be dining with a royal official and the next, be found among the beggars. He was not afraid to teach both the wealthy and the poor, the esteemed and the despised, the prideful and the humble.       Even today in the United States we live in a very much strat
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