Introduction

I’ve mentioned previously how much I enjoy and am intrigued by the streaming TV show, “The Chosen.” Since it seems to me to stay very close to Scripture, I really like the way it gives the people in the Bible stories skin and faces. I’ve read through and listened to the Bible countless times, and while doing so, of course I always try to picture the narration in my mind, but due to the cultural differences, it’s often challenging to place myself in the middle of the stories. However, Dallas Jenkins and the other people behind the series have done a masterful job of enabling us to do just that.

Even beyond that, they have filled in a lot of backstory for many of the main characters and have also filled in some story gaps. For the most part, I think the way they’ve done this seems plausible and consistent with the portions of the stories and characters’ backstories that are actually in the Bible.

Each time they have been ready to release a new season, I’ve gone back to watch all of the prior seasons. Since they are getting close to releasing season 5, I started again with season 1, episode 1. Adding to my enjoyment of this show this time around is the fact that my wife is watching it with me, since we’re doing a Bible study based on the series with our church group. I’ve enjoyed more meaningful conversations with her about our faith and about Jesus than I think we’ve had in the whole rest of our marriage. So, that’s another big bonus in my mind about watching “The Chosen”.

Anyway, the point of saying all this is that this show has enabled me to really see the main characters in the New Testament stories involving Jesus as real people. It has allowed me to put myself in their shoes. In the inaugural episode, when Jesus touches Mary Magdalene’s face and tells her, “I have called you by name. You are mine,” I could picture Him standing in front of me and repeating those same words. When Jesus calls Peter to follow Him after filling his boat with fish, I can sympathize with Peter’s sense of unworthiness and amazement that God would want him on His team. And when Jesus reveals who He is to the Samaritan woman, a broken person who has struggled to find acceptance, I feel her excitement and gratitude that the Messiah chose to sit and speak with her, of all people.

So Then There’s Nicodemus

Nicodemus is one of the most fascinating figures in the Gospel of John. Honestly, I’ve never known quite what to make of him. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? A Pharisee and a respected member of the Sanhedrin, he had power, influence, and deep religious knowledge. He was a prototypical religious leader, the only type of person who triggered anger in Jesus. Yet, he was a little different from other religious leaders. Despite his status and position, something about Jesus compelled him to seek real answers, to find the Truth.

Many of us know Nicodemus as the man who came to Jesus at night, asking about being “born again.” But did he ever truly believe? Did he move beyond curiosity and step fully into faith?

If we follow Nicodemus’ journey through the Gospel of John, and especially if we watch his character arc in “The Chosen”, we see a progression—one that mirrors the spiritual journey of many believers today. His story reminds us that faith often grows in stages, moving from curiosity to questioning, to courageous action. And it shows us yet again that there are no limits to who can become a follower of Christ or who God can use to advance His Kingdom here on earth.

A Curious Seeker (John 3:1–21)

Nicodemus first appears in John 3, approaching Jesus under the cover of night. The fact that he came at night suggests hesitation—perhaps he feared the judgment of his fellow Pharisees. Yet, his words show genuine interest:

Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.

John 3:2 (NIV)

Jesus responded with one of the most foundational teachings of Christianity:

Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

John 3:3 (NIV)

Nicodemus struggled to understand. He was thinking in literal, physical terms:

How can someone be born when they are old?

John 3:4 (NIV)

But Jesus was speaking of spiritual rebirth, of transformation through the Holy Spirit.

This moment is crucial because it shows that faith often begins with curiosity and confusion. Many of us have been in Nicodemus’ shoes—seeking, but struggling to understand. Yet, Jesus met Nicodemus where he was and patiently guided him toward Truth.

At this stage, Nicodemus left the conversation without a clear confession of faith. He wasn’t ready yet. But his journey wasn’t over.

A Defender of Justice (John 7:50–52)

The next time we see Nicodemus, he is in a tense confrontation with the other Pharisees. By this time, Jesus had become a polarizing figure, and many of the religious leaders were plotting against Him.

In John 7:50–52, Nicodemus shuffled out onto a limb a little bit, speaking up in defense of Jesus:

Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?

John 7:51 (NIV)

His question was subtle, but it was a significant shift. He wasn’t openly declaring himself a follower of Jesus, but he was challenging the unfair judgment of the Pharisees.

Their response was dismissive:

Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.

John 7:52 (NIV)

This moment shows us something important: Nicodemus was wrestling with the Truth. He wasn’t ready to fully declare his faith, but he also wasn’t willing to let injustice go unchecked. He was moving from private curiosity to public questioning.

A Bold Follower (John 19:38–42)

The final time Nicodemus appears in scripture is after Jesus’ crucifixion. By now, most of Jesus’ disciples had fled in fear. Yet, Nicodemus did something extraordinary.

Along with Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus took Jesus’ body and prepared it for burial.

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

John 19:39 (NIV)

This was not a small gesture. The amount of burial spices Nicodemus brought was extravagant—something typically reserved for royalty. This act was costly, both financially and socially. Publicly associating with Jesus, especially after His death, was dangerous.

This was not the act of a man who was undecided. This was an act of devotion.

What Can We Learn from Nicodemus?

Nicodemus’ story is not just about his faith—it’s about our faith, too. His journey shows us that:

1. Faith is a process – Nicodemus moved from curiosity to cautious questioning to bold action. Many of us don’t have an instant transformation, but rather a gradual deepening of belief.
2. Jesus meets us where we are – Nicodemus snuck in to meet Jesus to ask Him questions, and Jesus didn’t push him away. He answered with patience and truth.
3. True faith leads to action – Nicodemus eventually took a stand, risking everything to honor Jesus.
4. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, Jesus wants to be in a relationship with you – Nicodemus was effectively part of the governing body of religious leaders who had Jesus executed. Jesus knew this would be the case, yet He still spoke with Nicodemus, tried to soften his heart and help him see the Truth.

So Was He or Wasn’t He?

We don’t know what happened to Nicodemus after the moment when Nicodemus took his bold step of faith, but some early Christian traditions say he was later expelled from the Sanhedrin and persecuted for his faith in Jesus. Whether that’s true or not, his final recorded act in scripture suggests he had become a true follower of Christ.

Conclusion: A Question for Us

So, did Nicodemus believe in Jesus? I believe the answer is yes.

But perhaps the more important question for us today is this: Where are you in your faith journey?

Are you a seeker, like Nicodemus in John 3—curious, but hesitant?
Are you a questioner, like Nicodemus in John 7—starting to wrestle with the Truth, even if it’s costly?
Or are you a bold follower, like Nicodemus in John 19—willing to take risks to honor Jesus?

No matter where you are, Jesus meets you there. Like Nicodemus, you don’t have to have all the answers right away. It’s OK if it doesn’t all make sense. The important thing is to keep seeking, keep asking, and when the time comes—step forward in faith.

Where do you see yourself in Nicodemus’ journey? Share your thoughts in the comments!