Now, when the disciples were scattered and discouraged, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He was rich, and he employed his wealth to sustain the infant church of Christ, that the Jews thought would be blotted out with the death of Jesus. He who had been so cautious and questioning, now, in the time of peril, was firm as the granite rock, encouraging the flagging faith of the followers of Christ, and furnishing means to carry on the cause. He was defrauded, persecuted, and stigmatized by those who had paid him reverence in other days. He became poor in this world’s goods, yet he faltered not in the faith that had its beginning in that secret night conference with the young Galilean. {2SP 135.2}

Nu da disciplene var adspredte og modløse, kom Nikodemus frimodig frem. Han var rig, og han benyttede sin rigdom til at hjælpe Kristi unge menighed, om hvilken jøderne tænkte, at den ville gå til grunde ved Jesu død. Han, som førhen var så forsigtig og frygtsom, stod nu i farerens tid fast som (136) klippen og opmuntrede disciplenes svage tro og skænkede midler til at opholde Guds sag. Han blev bedraget, forfulgt og foragtet af dem, som førhen havde æret ham. Han blev fattig i denne verden; men han vaklede ikke i den tro, som først blev grundlagt den nat på Oliebjerget ved hans hemmelige samtale med den unge galilæer.