If you look up the name Nicodemus, you'll find the most common meaning is "people's victory." But there is another meaning to the name in some cultures: "innocent blood."
Some people have reacted with disgust when I tell them this meaning to my maiden name. I don't understand that reaction. To me, it speaks of the ultimate innocent blood, shed for my sins.
Only the blood of an innocent could redeem mankind. If Jesus was just an ordinary man who died on the cross, His death would be meaningless. Thousands of men died on crosses during the Roman occupation.
But Jesus was different. He was innocent. Not only was He innocent of any crimes against the Roman Empire, He was innocent of all sin. He did not deserve to die, much less to die in such a gruesome way.
His innocent blood, shed for me. That truly was a "people's victory." It humbles me to bear the name.
two returns
10 years ago
