The Only Son

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Christ Instructing Niccodemus - Crijn Hendricksz

He comes to Jesus under the cloak of darkness.  He is fearful, pulling his garment over his head.  He peers at the ground, hoping to be unseen, like the poor and unrighteous.  But he has wealth and he understands the scriptures.  Most in his sect would not support his desire to speak with the itinerant preacher.  They had heard some of the Rabbi's teachings and did not approve.  He did not want to feel the stares of ridicule or listen to their words of mockery.

So he waits until night and then slips into the street where the darkness will absorb him into its anonymity.

He has heard much about this Jesus.  His words hold authority.  He has captivated the lonely, the diseased, those who have never considered themselves worthy of hearing.  He speaks of God in a way alien to the scribes.  He shares the scriptures as if they are alive, and are not just symbols scratched onto papyrus.  Briefly, before approaching the house where Jesus is staying, the Pharisee  named Nicodemus, considers his own worth.

He enters the room and is greeted by warm smiles.  He wants to be taught by one his party considers unlearned.  The tone of Jesus' voice has drawn him.  Words of living scripture have touched his heart.  Nicodemus knows he would have come, even if there were no rumors of miracles.

"Rabbi, we know God is with you." The Pharisee speaks for himself and a few others, but most of his associates dwell in a world much darker.

And Jesus tells him he must be born again.

"How can this be," Nicodemus says aloud. "How can a man go back into his mother's womb?"

Jesus speaks of water and spirit.  He describes the journey taken by the wind.  Still the Pharisee is confused.

"You are a great teacher in Israel," Jesus says, "We speak only what we know, yet none of you are willing to accept the word.  If you do not believe the truths I tell you about this world, how will you believe the things I tell you about Heaven?"

He describes love.  A father who has sent his only son, to become a lamb, stretched out on an altar.  A father who will give up his son to be killed and in doing so wipe away every sin (past, present, future).  He speaks of eternal life, a concept dividing the holiest sects among the people.  Jesus says he is not to be a judge, keeping count of the stains on mankind.  No, he is to be its savior, paying the price of every stain, the lamb stretched out on the altar.

Nicodemus leaves, his mind confused.  He will ponder these words for a time, before letting the light cast out the darkness, before letting the spirit kneed the stringent teachings in his heart into flesh. 

For now he is still afraid.  He lowers his head so as not to let any passerby see his features and he wonders about one thought, 'That God could so love the world that he would give his only son".




copyright 2018 - Donald P James Jr

 

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