3 Lessons from Nicodemus on Seeking Truth in Faith

Nicodemus shows us that it is ok for us to hold our questions before the Lord, whatever they are. But he also shows us that it is ok not to understand Christ’s answers immediately. Upon Jesus’ declaration that we must be born from above, Nicodemus responds, “How can this be?” “How can someone enter into the womb again?” (John 3:4) In blunt honesty, Nicodemus says essentially, “I don’t get it; I don’t understand.”  Nicodemus stands confused before the Lord. But again, Christ is gracious and accepting.

If we believe that it is a sin to question our faith, then we may believe that Jesus provides instantaneous answers. But again, this is not what we see in the gospels. Nicodemus didn’t receive a download of spiritual knowledge when he heard Jesus’ voice. Nor did he experience a miraculous parting of the heavens through which he understood all the mysteries of eternity. Nicodemus continued to wrestle with his questions throughout his conversation with Jesus and potentially for years following. 

He is not the only one who does this, either. We see this with Zachariah, Mary, Peter, and the rest of the disciples. All these people have moments when they voice confusion over God's ways. But none of them are discarded or rejected from God’s kingdom or the Lord’s plan. 

It’s okay to be confused about the life of faith or the words of scripture. It’s okay not to understand all the inner workings of God. The fact is our questions cannot be answered in a single moment. Depending on the nature of our questions, we may hold them for quite some time. But this is the journey of faith. A growing faith will always encounter something stretching beyond our comfort or understanding.

Eventually, the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus moves seamlessly into other narratives. We don’t get a resolution to this conversation in scripture. Jesus speaks about the new birth, the will of the Spirit, and the Father’s eternal love. During this conversation with the seeking Nicodemus, Jesus affirms that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16).

Was this the answer that stuck in Nicodemus’ head and heart? Was this the answer that lodged deep in his soul as the final resolution to all his wrestling? 

We don’t know how long Nicodemus sat with his questions or how long he quietly turned over Christ’s statements in his heart. But at some point, Nicodemus decided that Jesus himself was the answer. John’s gospel records that when Joseph of Arimathea brought Jesus down from the cross, “Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds” (John 19:39). Somewhere along his journey, Nicodemus concluded that he needed to be with Jesus. Despite being a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jewish councils, Nicodemus knew that he needed to follow Jesus to the cross and the tomb. His questions led him to Jesus and, in doing so, led him to the resurrection. 

Will you remain in the presence of our Lord despite the questions you may have? Will you dare to believe that, at some point, he will provide the answer?

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The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada.  He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others.  He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca.  He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.