During the burial of Jesus, something unusual happened that’s taught me a lot about following Jesus — an underrated gesture from an “outsider” named Nicodemus. You know Nicodemus from the famous night scene in John 3 in which he asked, “How can anyone get back in his mother’s womb?” in response to Jesus’ talk about being born again.

Nicodemus’ question drew a reply from Jesus that’s become perhaps the most evangelistically successful verse of all time — John 3:16. So what happened to the guy who heard those words from Jesus Himself? At first glance, not much!

In his Gospel, John concluded this scene with a nonchalant “After this,” giving no indication of heart change in Nicodemus. In John 7, Nicodemus showed up again,  defending Jesus before some noisy Pharisees hell-bent on arresting Jesus — still, no concrete evidence of conversion.

In John 19 we find Nicodemus’ third and final appearance, at Jesus’ burial. Read this scene; and, if you have a pen handy, mark every mention of Nicodemus. Underline any details you learn about him.

SCRIPTURE TEXT

38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's  permission, he came and took the body away. 39He 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. 40Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.  — John 19:38–42 (NIV)

38After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. 39Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. 41There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. 42So, because it was Sabbath preparation for  the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it. — John 19:38-42 (The Message)