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NICODEMUS [PART FOUR] DISCIPLE AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
Objectives; By the end of this Module you should;
Know about Nicodemus
Have knowledge about the Sudarium
Be able to preach about the role Nicodemus played in the life of Jesus
Know about the Resurrection of Jesus, Son of God
Contents; Nicodemus, Disciple at the foot of the Cross 1. The Sudarium Fingermarks 2. Resurrection 3. Temple Veil 4. Consequences of discipleship 1. The Sudarium Fingermarks The man's hands trembled as he placed the cloth over the bloodied Head of the Messiah. Balancing perilously on the rickety wooden ladder, the men - one at the head, one holding the waist and the last supporting the legs - lowered the dead Body of Jesus into the waiting arms of His devastated mother below. Nicodemus, one of the men removing the dead Jesus from the cross, was not ashamed of the tears which slipped down into his beard. He beheld the broken Hope of Israel lying - pierced through the heart and thus clinically dead - in His mother's arms. Nicodemus' own dreams for Israel had perished along with the Messiah. Joseph of Arimathea had meanwhile entered the quarters of Pontius Pilate in order to request burial for Jesus. He proposed to give dignified burial to the Rabbi by making available the newly hewn tomb he had intended for himself. The usual fate of the crucified was mass burial with fellow condemned criminals. Pontius - still smarting from being manoeuvred into the death of Jesus, and with the recriminations of his wife fresh in his ears, readily gave his assent.
Nicodemus meanwhile organized about a hundred pounds of aloes and myrrh to be brought to the tomb. Mindful of the rapidly approaching Sabbath, Nicodemus, Joseph, John and the women carried out a hasty burial. As Nicodemus grimly helped to bear the body of the Christ to the hastily provided tomb, the wailing of the bereaved women was almost too much to bear. At the tomb the Sudarium - the cloth which had been used to cover Jesus' Head - was cast to one side. Mary covered her Son's Face with burial veil of byssus. Thereafter Nicodemus and Joseph - now both ritually unclean according to Mosaic law for touching a corpse - helped to wrap the naked Jesus in the simple burial winding sheet over front and back.
The precious aloes and myrrh were wrapped within the burial sheet. Such an amount of precious herbs signified a royal burial. The heavy tombstone was then pushed into place under the watchful eye of the Roman guard. The Chief Priest and the Pharisees had approached Pilate to request this experienced guard. Jesus had clearly stated He would rise again after three days. The temple delegation had explained to Pilate that they did not want Jesus' disciples to steal the Body and falsely claim Resurrection had taken place. Nicodemus, obedient to the rules of Jewish faith, went home as the Sabbath was imminent. As the group of grieving mourners left the tomb, hastening home before night fell, little did Nicodemus know that millenia later we would gaze on the marks left by the fingers of the one who had held the Sudarium to Jesus' Face. [1] Perhaps the owner of the marks was Nicodemus himself . . . 2. Resurrection Seated at home, Nicodemus mourned the Messiah. He had witnessed the earthquake, the rocks that split as Jesus died. Indeed, still today in Jerusalem, a split in the rock upon which Jesus was crucified can be clearly seen. Nicodemus had much to ponder; and remembered how Jesus had prophesied that He would rise again from the dead. But crucified, pierced through the heart? It was time to face reality. A long night passed; then the Saturday. Another night. Proof indeed that Jesus was thoroughly, irrevocably dead. Roman guards - masterful in military skills - guarded the tomb from robbery. Until the blinding flash of light and earthquake that felled the guards so that they lay as dead men, unconscious from the energy released by the Resurrection of the mighty Son of God. Jesus, newly risen, gently shook off the aloes and myrrh that Nicodemus had packed around Him within the burial winding sheet, and blinked off the sheer byssus veil. His angels attended Him, and brought Him clothing to cover the nakedness with which He had been crucified and then buried. When the centurion and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what had happened, they were terrified out of their wits, and said, "Truly, this was the Son of God . . ." [2] Jesus had triumphantly wrought His greatest miracle, the culmination of His signs, teachings and healings during His public ministry. Now He carried out the next phase of His celestial military manoeuvre. He descended into Sheol - the realm of the dead and deprived of the vision of God. [3] Satan cowered and raged as the dazzling Figure - very well known to him from aeons before - descended to his dominion and inexorably and ruthlessly freed all the human captives held there. The war for the cosmos had taken a new - and, for satan, frightening - turn. Confident until now that he would rule humanity and earth for eternity in lieu of the heavenly Throne he had wanted, satan now began to realize that he was fighting a losing battle in the celestial war. Jesus freed the dead from their eternal banishment, the Plan of God rolled forward, and His Resurrection mightily burst forward into collective resurrection. Tombs broke open, newly risen bodies fleshed onto decayed forms and dry bones, and floods of the newly saved walked into Jerusalem. They visited houses, speaking and witnessing to their loved ones about the glory which had taken place. Did someone visit Nicodemus to tell him the glorious news that the Messiah had saved them? That his faith had not been in vain? That the Son of David and the Son of God was shortly to re-enter heaven in glory? We do not know.
When Jesus returned from his mission of freeing the captives from the holding place of the dead He returned to Joseph's tomb - awaiting events. As it turned out, the visit from Mary Magdalene. At the tomb, it may have been that Jesus' eyes fell on a discarded cloth in the corner of the grave the Sudarium of His burial. The Messiah's lips may well have curved in amusement and affection as He beheld the fingermarks on the Sudarium cloth. We do not know whose fingermarks were left - extant to this day - on the woven textile, as the man cradled the Head of Jesus post execution. We do know, however, that Jesus may have looked on the marks of His beloved disciple, Nicodemus the Pharisee. The Messiah may have first gone to visit His mother when He began His post-resurrection appearances. Is it possible that Jesus Himself at some stage appeared to His devoted disciple? 3. Temple Veil Nicodemus later stood before the fluttering rag remnants of the huge temple curtain which had marked the boundary between Almighty God and humanity. He understood the great theological significance of this event. Witnesses told him that at the very moment of Jesus' death, those in the temple heard a massive rending as the huge curtain was torn in two - from top to bottom. [4] Now this was no mean feat. The veil in the temple is believed to have been nearly 60 feet high, possibly four inches thick. It was fashioned from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Only the high priest was allowed to pass once a year through this magnificent textile boundary. This he did in order to offer atonement for sin. [5] The fact that the veil split at the very moment of Jesus' death must have certainly given the high priest and the Sanhedrin much cause for thought. If the veil had split from the bottom, it would have been possible to infer that perhaps some human agency had been at work. However, from the top downwards in one magnificent rent asunder - that manifestation could only have taken place at the behest of God. Nicodemus - the man to whom Jesus revealed the Sacraments and the role of the Spirit - had been slow to understand. This Pharisee was cautious of overhasty belief and anxious not to incur official wrath by public profession of belief in Jesus. For good reason, as it turned out. Yet this man became one of Christ's most prominent followers at a time when all seemed lost. As Nicodemus stood looking with wonder at the temple veil, he realized that at last the unbridgeable gulf between God and humanity was eternally gone. At last, all - man, woman and child - were free to come with confidence into the Holy of Holies knowing each to be beloved son and daughter of God. 4. Consequences of discipleship Tradition tells us that there were consequences to the discipleship of Nicodemus. It is believed that Nicodemus became a professed disciple of Christ, and received baptism from Peter and John. It is related that the Jews stripped Nicodemus of his office, beat him and drove him from Jerusalem. His kinsman Gamaliel received and sheltered him in his house until his death, and finally gave him honourable burial. Some believe Saint Nicodemus was martyred. It is said that he outlived the fall of Jerusalem, and his family were reduced from his previous wealth to such horrible poverty that, whereas the bridal bed of his daughter had been covered with a dowry of 12,000 denarii, she was subsequently seen endeavouring to support life by picking the grains from the ordure of the cattle in the streets.[6] When we take up the call to discipleship, as Nicodemus did, we do not know what awaits us. Perhaps we will not win earthly fame and glory. There may be those who do not understand or respect our decision. Yet the following of the Master in itself is eternal joy. The honour of walking in His Footsteps is our precious heritage. The happiness of knowing His Love is our wealth. And, as Saint Paul tells us, '. . . we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God. Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' [Hebrews 12:1-3] Nicodemus, beloved disciple at the foot of the cross and carrying out the last offices for the dead with respect and devotion, is a lasting witness to Christ and icon of faith for us today. . . Rev Catherine
Have insight into how Nicodemus used his influence
Know who Annas and Caiaphas were
Have knowledge about the trial of Jesus
Be able to preach a sermon about Nicodemus
Contents:
1. Concern of Caiaphas
2. Who was Caiaphas?
3. Raising of Lazarus
4. Ancient village of Ephraim
5. Jesus predicts His death
6. The trial of Jesus
7. Death of Jesus
1. Concern of Caiaphas High Priest Caiaphas was deeply troubled. Attempts to curtail Jesus' activities in the Temple and in the countryside had failed. His own Temple guard had been persuaded by the teachings of Jesus to the point that they imperilled their own livelihoods by failing to carry out their orders to arrest the Nazarene. Now Caiaphas was sure that Nicodemus was a secret supporter of Jesus. He had long suspected that this influential member of his Sanhedrin was turning to belief that Jesus was the Christ. Now he was sure. Caiaphas and Annas further suspected that Joseph and Arimathea and others among the Pharisees were secret admirers and supporters of Jesus. Temple laws were being flouted, the populace was following Jesus and the status quo of the temple tax was in jeopardy. Added to that, the high priests were dependent upon Roman goodwill for their appointments within the Temple. If they proved unable to control the people, Rome would be swift to remove them from office. Into this volatile mix, the Pharisees were now in the process of splitting into two opposing camps; one, secretly championing Jesus as Messiah. The other, loyal to Annas and Caiaphas, integrally opposed to the claim of Jesus. Caiaphas shrewdly suspected that the number of followers of Jesus within the ranks, including Nicodemus and influential Jews, was growing. This made him very worried indeed. If the number of followers of Jesus continued to escalate, a very real possibility existed that temple leadership could be undermined.
Caiaphas decided the time had arrived for action before temple authority was completely eroded. 2. Who was Caiaphas? Caiaphas was high priest of the Jews in Israel in the latter years of Jesus' life. According to the historian Josephus, Caiaphas was appointed to the office in AD 18 by the Roman Prefect who preceded Pontius Pilate, Valerius Gratus. Joseph Caiaphas was the latest in a line of successive high priest appointments. His father-in-law Annas, the son of Seth, had been deposed in former years from the high priest tenure. His five sons served in succession thereafter, until his son-in-law was granted the post.
The family of Annas had a strong grip on the high priest position, and were in no mind to give it up lightly. Jesus had been threatening the status quo of the temple administration for some time. 3. Raising of Lazarus When news of the raising of Lazarus from the dead reached Jerusalem, a gathering of the Sanhedrin in reaction to the explosive news. Nicodemus gathered with his brethren and heard account of the spectacular happening. During the meeting, the Sanhedrin members considered the words reported as spoken by the Rabbi. Jesus clearly stated ' "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." ' [John 11:25] This was an explosive statement. Jesus was going further than merely claiming He was the Messiah. He was claiming to be Son of God, and offered proof of His claim by raising a dead man a full three days after burial. [John 11:38-44] There was no doubt about testimony to the resurrection, as many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary after the death of Lazarus witnessed the wonder.
The Sanhedrin further heard that Martha, a follower, had publicly professed belief in the Rabbi. ' "I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, Who is to come into the world." ' [John 11:27] The parting of the ways had come between Nicodemus and those partisan to Jesus' cause, and those against. Nicodemus realized that, if the eyewitness accounts proved true, the wonder had arrived. The longed for Messiah had come to Israel.
Caiaphas and other Sanhedrin members held a different viewpoint. They feared the power of the sway Jesus now had over the populace. This latest miracle had people flooding from all over Israel to follow Jesus. As the power of Jesus grew, that of the temple hierarchy was on the wane. Even more tellingly, there was no indication as to how Rome would react if Jesus was proclaimed Messiah and King of Israel. Heated debate ensued at the meeting. ' "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation." ' [John 11:47-48]
Caiaphas, then spoke up. ' "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." ' [John 11:49-50] With that political calculation, the stage was set. When next Caiaphas and Jesus were to meet, it was to be at a trial within the Sanhedrin which would ultimately lead to death penalty. Nicodemus was deeply disturbed by the developing events within the Sanhedrin. In all likelihood he gave discreet warning to Jesus of the Sanhedrin plot. After this time, and probably on his guard as a result of warning, Jesus no longer moved about publicly about the people of Judea. The possibility of an assassination attempt with collateral damage and death to His followers, would have been foremost in Jesus' mind.
He planned His greatest miracle, personal Resurrection: not wholesale decimation of innocent bystanders. Jesus withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where He stayed in safety with His disciples. [John 11:54] 4. Ancient village of Ephraim Ephraim was a safe haven, sympathetic to Jesus and His followers. The local village people were probably tough and well able to protect their own. Added to that, they were able to keep their own counsel. So Jesus and His disciples could stay in relative safety. The city of Ephraim or Ephraim in the wilderness is a city or village in Judea. Ephraim lay in the wild, uncultivated hill-country, thirteen miles in the north-east of Jerusalem. The village perched on a conspicuous eminence with an extensive view between the central towns and the Jordan valley. No-one could surreptitiously come up and take anyone by surprise. The village was a natural fortress by means of the very nature in which it resided. Ephraim is considered to probably be ancient Ophrah [Joshua 18:23], Ephron [2 Chronicles 13:19], and the modern city of Taybeh. [1] Now the chief priests and antagonistic Pharisees searched for Jesus without success. Orders went out that anyone who found where Jesus was should report it so that they could arrest Him. [John 11:57] This became common knowledge among the Israelites. Jesus' disciples realized at this stage how desperate the plight of Jesus had become. The warnings of the Pharisees had appeared to fall on deaf ears. The situation had worsened even further. Now the chief priests were not only plotting to kill Jesus - they were including followers of Jesus including Lazarus. Lazarus, dead and resurrected, was to be killed 'for on account of him man of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him.' [John 12:11] Judas came to hear of the order for arrest. Fear for his personal safety and future - a very real fear - began to prey on Judas' mind. He began to realize that he had hitched his star to a losing cause. If Jesus continued on His current path, death to both Himself and His disciples could prove likely. Judas, after much reflection, decided not to go down with the rapidly sinking ship. He made the decision to go to the chief priests and find out if they would be discuss payment in return for information which would lead to the arrest of Jesus. As it turned out, they were; thirty pieces of silver. 'And from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.' [Matthew 26:14-16] Many of the leaders now believed in Jesus, but because of the Pharisees would not openly acknowledge their faith 'for fear they would be put out of the synagogue.' [John 12:42] Jesus knew His death was imminent. He had disregarded warnings against His life. He had continued to confront the temple authority with proofs that He was Messiah. He clarified that he had full control over life and death, and would bring about His own Resurrection.
There were no nasty surprises. Jesus knew precisely what He was letting Himself in for. Death before resurrection. A horrible remedy for the even more horrible reality of the sin of humanity. And a ransom the Son of God was more than willing to pay for our freedom from the tyrannical rule of satan. . .
5. Jesus predicts His death Jesus left the sanctuary of Ephraim and made His way to Jerusalem. The populace, heady with joy that the Messiah of Israel had come, welcomed Him into the city with the honour of a King. 'Now the crowd that was with Him when He called Lazarus from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that He had performed this sign, went out to meet Him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!" [John 12:17-19] Jesus knew that His hour had come. He openly predicted His death. To Nicodemus' anguish Jesus appeared to court direct confronation with the chief priests and antagonistic Pharisees. Nicodemus had witnessed the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He also heard how many of his brethren were incensed at the acclaim of the populace of Jesus as King of Israel. [John 12:12-19] Jesus had made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem in order to attend Passover. Some Greeks, who had come to worship at the Festival, asked Philip for a personal interview with Jesus. Philip in turn told Andrew about the request. The two then approached Jesus. Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be. My Father will honour the one who serves Me. Now my soul is troubled, but what shall I say? "Father, save me from this hour?" No, it was for this very reason that I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name!' Then a voice came from Heaven, "I have glorified It, and will glorify It again." The crowd that was there said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him.' [John 12:20-29] Possibly Nicodemus, his heart thundering, heard the Voice from Heaven. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Moses had clearly spoken within the temple. Nicodemus had received final proof that Jesus indeed was the Son of God. Yet from this moment of God's personal witness to the people, things went swiftly downhill. . . 6. The trial of Jesus The unthinkable had happened. Nicodemus, his palms sweating and his robes flowing as he hastened towards the Sanhedrin court, prepared his thoughts for the time ahead. The Master had been arrested, and even now was about to face trial for His life. As Nicodemus entered the room, his heart involuntarily shook within him as he saw the state of the prisoner. Jesus had obviously been beaten; his nose had been broken out of shape and his eye was swelling. Nicodemus learned later that this had happened during questioning at the palace of Annas, the former high priest. [John 18:19-24] Jesus, bound, had thereafter been taken to Caiaphas the high priest. Now, his clothing full of mud, his demeanour battered, Jesus' eyes met those of Nicodemus. The wave of misery in Nicodemus' eyes smote Jesus. Not the least of the sufferings the Messiah underwent was to cause pain to those He loved. Nicodemus hastily gathered the facts from his colleagues. Jesus had been arrested earlier that night at the Garden of Olives. Judas, one of the inner band of Jesus' most trusted disciples, had brought a large crowd of people armed with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and elders of the people to Gethsemane. [Matthew 26:47-56] What on earth had Jesus been thinking to stay so close within the city walls when He knew the danger to His safety, Nicodemus privately wondered. Nicodemus had met Judas when he negotiated private interview with Jesus. Nicodemus later found that Judas had been treasurer of Jesus and the disciples' finances. The chief priests and various of his brethren had, for some time and unknown to Nicodemus, negotiated with Judas in order to bring about the arrest of Jesus. In return for his collaboration, he was paid thirty pieces of silver. Thirty pieces of silver! thought Nicodemus bitterly as he surveyed the battered form of Jesus. Surely Judas must in some measure suspect the fate now facing Jesus. Nicodemus berated himself for not knowing of this twist in the plot. It was now painfully clear that his brethren had for some time been aware of Nicodemus' complicity in protecting Jesus. Vital information had thus been discreetly kept from him. Nicodemus now prepared to fight for the very life of the Messiah in court. His personal path of discipleship had come to the crossroads. The Pharisee was about to go public in support of the Messiah. Nicodemus surely realized that public defence of Jesus would affect his career. He stood to lose even the right to synagogue worship. Yet the Pharisee never hesitated. As the trial went forward, Nicodemus fought for the life of Jesus against the Sanhedrin plot to destroy Him. 7. Death of Jesus As the trial wore on, Nicodemus began to hope there might be a way out for Jesus after all.
'The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.' [Matthew 26:59]
However, Jesus signed His own death warrant when He forsook silence in order to answer the pivotal question: 'Then the high priest said to Him, "I charge You on earth by the Living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God." "You have said it yourself", Jesus answered, "But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the Right Hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven." ' [Matthew 26:63-64] Caiaphas, rending his garments, found Jesus guilty of blasphemy. The Sanhedrin passed the death sentence on Jesus with a majority vote. Nicodemus tried to prevent the brutal beating and spitting into Jesus' Face which ensued. However, so few in the face of so many, failed to stop the torture of the Prisoner. As Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor, Nicodemus followed. His efforts, and those of his colleagues loyal to the Christ, had proved in vain. As events unfolded Nicodemus suffered deeply. The Man he knew and loved as the Messiah of God was tortured, beaten and crowned with thorns. All the prophecies of the ancient Prophets were being fulfilled as Nicodemus, Pharisee and believer, witnessed the dreadful sufferings of the Christ. As Nicodemus stood, defeated, at the foot of the cross on which the suffering Messiah was gasping His last breath, he may well have murmured the words of the Prophet Isaiah;
53 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
