Homily: April 13, 2026, Monday of the Second Week of Easter (All for Jesus)

 “There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night…”

From this incident, we can learn a lot about Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, respectable and reputable in the Jewish circle of his time. But unlike the rest of the Jewish leaders, he recognized Jesus as sent by God, ‘for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.”

In the Gospel texts, Nicodemus appears only three times. Today’s Gospel presents the first time, he came to Jesus at night, quietly, almost secretly. Why?

Because if he was being seen in a friendly connection with Jesus, his reputation, position, and all that he had worked for in his life, would be at risk. He could lose it all.

Yet he took that risk, though carefully. And from his conversation with Jesus, we received some of the most beautiful teachings about our faith, about baptism, about God’s plan for the world. We are told in this encounter, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”

The second mention of Nicodemus is found in chapter 7 of John’s Gospel. Nicodemus spoke up among the chief priests and other Pharisees to protect Jesus from being unjustly condemned. He did not make a big speech but reminded them about justice. It was clear to the rest that Nicodemus was defending Jesus.

His reputation, position, and all that he had worked for in his life, was now at risk. The others began to question his judgement and his possible association with Jesus.

And the third time Nicodemus was mentioned, is after Jesus’ death.

He bought costly spices and wanted to give Jesus a proper burial. At a time when most had abandoned Jesus, Nicodemus showed up.

In those days, criminals were often left to die without dignity, sometimes their bodies were simply thrown into unmarked graves, to be forgotten. But Nicodemus ensured that Jesus received a worthy burial.

That was no small act. He chose to risk his reputation, position, and all that he had worked for in his life in exchange for the reverent and proper burial of His Rabbi. His act was an outright declaration that he was a friend of Jesus.

Nicodemus’ journey of faith is beautiful. As he grew closer to Jesus, he became more detached from earthly things. His reputation, position, and all that he had achieved were no longer important.

So, are you afraid to risk your possession, position and power to follow Jesus? Or are you ready to lose it all to be closer to Jesus, for the greater glory of God? Amen.