Nicholdemus was a member of a group of councilmen who ruled the religion of the country.
Remember when Jesus turned over the money tables and ran the animals out of the Temple? The councilmen shouted, "No one gave Jesus permission to wreck our Temple store!"
Another reason the Temple priests did not like Jesus is because God's king was supposed to be both priest and king. "What if Jesus gets to be high priest and won't let us be priests any more? We'd be out of a job."
Many of the priests were jealous of Jesus because he was popular with the people, and they were not.
Although most of the Temple priests were jealous of Jesus, Nichodemus liked him. So he sneaked off one night when the other priests were asleep and went to see Jesus.
Jesus explained to Nichodemus that he was the son of God and would not be a king or priest on earth.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only-born son, so that whoever believes in him will be saved." That is found in John chapter 3, verse 16, which people usually say is John 3:16. Would you like to memorize this verse?
Nichodemus did not see Jesus again for two years. That means that if you were 7 years old when you saw Jesus, you wouldn't see him again until you were 9 years old.
"Look! Jesus is back!"everyone in the Temple was saying. The worshippers loved Jesus. This made the jealous Temple council even madder.
To be jealous means you are mad because someone has something you want. The Temple council wanted to get rid of Jesus, so they ordered, "Arrest him!"
"We couldn't arrest him," the Temple guards reported later. "He talks about loving each other and following God." So the Temple council got mad at the guards.
Although Nichodemus knew most of the Temple council would be mad at him too, he stood up and said, "Jesus has the right to defend himself before being sent to jail."
Then Jesus left and Nichodemus did not see him again for another year. But that time something very terrible had happened. Jesus was hung from a wood crossbeam just by nails through his hands and feet. He was in a lot of pain.
Jesus died a few hours later on the cross. Nichodemus was very sorry he had not stood and defended Jesus more.
So Nichodemus got with another member of the council named Joseph and the two of them gave Jesus a nice funeral. Later when Jesus came back to life, he forgave them for not defending him.
It is better to do good even if you think it is too late. God will understand and be happy that you at least tried. Is there something good you have put off doing that you could do now? That would make God happy.