Social groups naturally develop a “ruling class” or the “Elite.” Sometimes, these groups are publicly acknowledged and accepted as the ruling class. In other cases, they exist in the background, influencing the outcomes of what seems to be a “free society.”
Sociologist C. Wright Mills, who explored the American implications of social classes in his 1956 book, “The Power Elite,” says that the elite “accept one another, understand one another, marry one another, tend to work and to think if not together at least alike.” One thing is for sure: the ruling class will work to keep their status quo.
It is not easy to join the ruling class or the elite, which is why it is called the “elite.” However, one possible way is to use the influence of one of the existing members to be introduced into the social group and work the network to build a name and position. This process, of course, requires the “new comer” to fit into the elite’s expectations. The chosen one would be someone with the potential to bring some benefit to the elite group or somebody who found the favor of an elite member to be “upgraded” and gain access to the benefits the elite offer. Having access to the elite must be a great opportunity, and how wrong it could look to lose it.
In chapter 3 of the Book of John, we find the exciting story of Jesus being visited by a member of the elite of His time, Nicodemus. This event happened after Jesus did his first miracle by converting water into wine, started to preach, executed more miracles, and did the well-publicized cleaning of the temple in Jerusalem. The latter event did not sit well with the elite class, which was profiting and money laundering from the commercial activities happening in the temple’s atrium.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, the Jewish elite. (John 3:1 NIV) In other words, Nicodemus had all the proper credentials and connections to be an Executive Committee Member. He was indeed a very influential person. However, Nicodemus searched for Jesus in the darkness, in the anonymity of the night. This action was indeed self-protecting, considering that Jesus was becoming dangerous to the elite. Despite the risk of this action, Jesus’ teaching captured Nicodemus’s attention to the extent that he felt compelled to meet Him.
In a way, this was also an excellent opportunity for Jesus’ ministry, a way to find an influential partner among the elite. Nicodemus could surely use his influence to help Jesus be accepted into the Jewish elite because he had started to believe in His ministry. He may have wanted to offer his influence to enhance Jesus’ ministry with the “networking methods” he knew would socially work.
Before anything was decided or made public, Nicodemus wanted to have a severe religious conversation with Jesus to understand His ministry better. He wanted to have a “rabbi-to-rabbi” encounter and maybe find a way to collaborate.
Nicodemus was playing safe here. What was happening was not new for a Jewish leader to encounter. Around 750 years before, God called an unlikely prophet from the shepherds of Tekoa to preach about the urgent need for judgment, repentance, and coming destruction. At that time, this message was not well received by the Jewish leaders to the point that a complaint was sent to the king: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words.” (Amos 7:10 NIV) Then, Amaziah, the priest, told Amos: “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah, earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.” (Amos 7:12 NIV) Even though the elite attacked Amos, his promises came true, bringing suffering to Israel. If only the elite had listened to Amos rather than pushing him away. Was Jesus another “Amos” in need of proper help to have his message accepted by the elite?
Jesus’ miracles and message challenged the status quo the Jewish leaders wanted as the “social norm.” Jesus bringing “foreign” ideas to the people did not sit well with the elite. In the midst of all this, Nicodemus was attracted to Jesus’ message and considered He might be the expected messiah sent by God. But how could he know without a proper “test”?
Nicodemus met Jesus and started with his introduction, treating Jesus with respect and recognizing him as a teacher: “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)
Nicodemus’s first words emphasize knowledge authority: “We know.” The Jewish leaders believed they had the unique authority to understand and recognize what was divine ~ it could be said that “they knew God.” In other words, Nicodemus told Jesus, “I have knowledge about God, and I have judged you based on that.”
However, Nicodemus does not say, “I know;” he uses, “We know.” Nicodemus was not the only one trying to understand what Jesus’ actions meant and what to do with them. But indeed, Nicodemus was eager enough to go and search for answers to the questions. He may have represented a group of elites struggling between accepting or rejecting Jesus. With the right approach, this group of elite members could become a significant influence to gain power in the elite to do great things.
The signs or miracles Jesus was performing struck Nicodemus and his company. Indeed, Jesus’ miracles and signs were famous and the topic of conversation in social circles, including the elite. The unanswered question was: Under what authority was He doing these things?
Then Nicodemus said to Jesus, “No one could perform the signs you are doing.” He assessed that what Jesus was doing was supernatural and unique and recognized that these signs were only possible if God “was” with Jesus. Nicodemus’s group, after serious analysis, had concluded that Jesus was “a teacher who had come from God.” However, even after seeing the miracles, Nicodemus did not recognize Jesus as God, but maybe another prophet.
With his introductory statement, Nicodemus also told Jesus that because of the “miracle signs,” which granted Him the title of “God’s sent,” He had caught the attention of the elite leading to this interview.
How much will you pay to have the opportunity to access somebody influential who could change your work outcome? In 2013, a charity campaign offered a half-hour coffee date with Apple CEO Tim Cook, one of the most influential business leaders. If adequately addressed, this meeting could change a person’s financial life. In the end, the meeting with Tim Cook fetched US$610,000.
How much could Jesus do with Nicodemus on his side? With the “right steps,” He could have reached the ordinary people and the elite leadership and used their influence for a much better outcome. This encounter was a unique opportunity that should not be missed. However, this influence was not taken.
We will never know what topics Nicodemus wanted to address and discuss with Jesus. Still, his planned conversation only passed beyond the first sentence. Jesus saw Nicodemus as a sincere man convinced he had the knowledge and authority to know God and His plans. Then, Jesus tells Nicodemus the truth he was not prepared to hear:
“What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.” (John 3:3 NIrV)
Nicodemus had to learn that he didn’t know God and knew little about His plans. He had to understand that despite his elite position, influence, knowledge, and leadership role, he was lost and in need of a savior. And that savior was God, in front of him, telling him His plan of salvation.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIrV)
Italo Osorio – Copyright 2024
Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash
