17-Nicodemus-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Vol. II: Dream Maker

Nicodemus
NON-ORTHODOX ORTHODOX

Winter AD 27
Jerusalem, Judea

�� It is dawn and Nichodemus is leading the perfect life.� Everything is predictable.� Always has been.� Nothing can ever change that.

�� Every morning he arises and immediately dons his tallit katan, his four-fringed underwear.� He is careful before his morning hand-washing to not touch his mouth, nose, eyes, ears.� Before walking the four cubit limit, he pours water from a cup alternating one hand then the other three times.� Then he washes his face to honor the Creator, and rinses his mouth so that he can pronounce the Great Name of Jehovah with purity.� This is the way good Jews do. [1]

�� Jesus, are you sure you want to get involved with a fanatic like this?

�� Then he goes into another room so he won't disturb his wife.� There he swallows all the saliva in his mouth so that he can follow the Psalm that says, "My mouth shall be filled with Your praise." This is the way good Jews do. [2]

�� Then, donning his tzitzit, the elegant fringed shawl, he says his benediction.� It will be his first benediction of the day.� He will pronounce one hundred during the day as he does all days in accordance to tradition.� This is the way good Jews do. [3]

�� Forget him, Jesus.� This guy won't have time to fit you in.

�� He gets out a scripture scroll and dutifully reads it all.� He writes on a clay tablet a few thoughts he gained from the reading.� He sets it aside to attach it to his waist by the cord and carry it with him during the day.� Then he prays.� Probably for an hour.� And finally, he sets aside a few moments to just stare and meditate. [4]

�� It is now daylight.� Since it is not the Sabbath or a special Sabbath, he picks up his tefillah and ties it to his hand slightly to one side so that he can touch that part of the Torah in its box to his heart at any time.� In so doing, he obeys the Law of Moses explicitly.� He says his benediction for it. [5]

�� Next he takes out his tefillah and ties it behind his head so that it goes exactly from the beginning of his scalp to the top of his head, and says his benediction for it.� In so doing, he obeys the Law of Moses in this regard also.� Nichodemus is careful to be perfect in all things. [6]

�� If he's perfect, Jesus, he certainly won't be needing you.

�� Tunic and robe clean with not a frayed edge or pulled thread anywhere, sandals in perfect condition, and breakfast over, he kisses his wife goodbye and heads for his office.� On his way out the door, he stops to kiss the mezuzah attached to the door post, then covers it with a cloth so there is not direct contact, and touches it with his hand. [7]

�� Nichodemus is a member of the Sanhedrin.� His plush office is in a wing of the Temple.� He is leading the ideal life. [8]

�� "Good morning."� He greets people on his way through the massive courtyard.� He is proud of his position, for he is a member of the most elite organization in the country, an organization begun well over two thousand years earlier by Moses himself. [9]

�� Although Caiaphas is high priest and therefore head of the Sanhedrin, his father-in-law, the former high priest, still rules in fact.� So it is to Ananias that everyone defers. [10]

�� "Fellow members of the Sanhedrin," Ananias begins, "I am happy to open this session on whether or not John the Baptizer is truly the one preparing the way for the new priest-king of the new kingdom of God.� Of course, we all know this is ridiculous."

�� He pauses, smiles broadly, and looks around the chamber, obviously looking for mirrored evidence that all agree with him.� He is not disappointed.� That is good.� Politically good.

�� "I will now defer to Caiaphas to preside over this matter." [11]

�� "Fellow judiciaries.� This man, John the Baptizer is definitely not our friend.� He is still as rebellious as he was before he left the Temple and abdicated his priesthood.� He is against everything we do.� I don't think we should take him as a friend.� He has certainly pronounced us his enemy.� And have you heard the way he dresses?� In leather."

�� "Like a mountain man," someone shouts out of turn.

�� "A hermit!"

�� "Caiaphas, sir, permission to have the floor."

�� "The high priest recognizes the elder from Nain."

�� "It is my understanding that John has already announced who the new priest-king is, but no one ever heard of him.� His name is Jesus.� He's a carpenter from up in Galilee around all those Gentiles.� John claimed the Spirit of God appeared like a dove when he baptized Jesus.� That's all I know.� No one has heard from him since then though.� It may be a false alarm."

�� The session is over and the men leave.� Nichodemus looks at a sundial just off the corridor in the courtyard. He has plenty of time to get back to his office, look over his notes, and have dinner before his class this evening.

�� "Students, we are going to discuss the writings of the prophet Ezekiel tonight, especially the vision he had of dead people coming back to life.�

�� "Ezekiel says God will give us a new spirit and a heart of flesh.� He also predicts God will give us a new heart and new spirit.� Further, God declares that he does not want anyone to be condemned, that he takes no pleasure in it." [12]

�� "Rabbi, some people say God loves to punish people.� I'm going to have to remember this."

�� "Thank you for your comment.� He goes on to explain later in his prophecy that God will some day sprinkle us with clean water in order to give us that heart of flesh.� And the new spirit would be God's spirit." [13]

�� "Rabbi, what does that mean ~ a new spirit?"

�� "We do not completely understand this, but let us continue.� It was at this point that Ezekiel had the vision of bones scattered in the desert coming back together, receiving flesh again, and returning to life.� God told the bones he would make wind enter to make them come to life."

�� "Rabbi.� What does it mean that wind entered the bodies?"

�� "Wind represents breath.� Always.� Remember that."

�� "Yes, sir."�

�� "Then Ezekiel said the breath of God came from the four winds and the bones got flesh and lived again.� This vision represents the people of our nation that will one day die and be reborn into the one and only Nation of God. [14]

�� "Students, we look forward to the day when this happens.� And I believe it will happen soon...."

April AD 28

�� Several weeks pass.� Rabbi Nichodemus comes and goes to and from the office, to and from home, to and from the Temple.� Life continues as usual.� Well, maybe a little more than usual with Passover in a few days.

�� "Sir."� A Levite enters his office.� "There's an emergency session of the Sanhedrin being called in half an hour.� Some disturbance out in the outer courtyard.� Personally, I didn't hear it, but I understand a lot of money was lost."

�� "Thank you.� I'll be there."

�� The captain of the Temple guard enters the room and faces the dignified religious body.

�� "High Priest and members of the Sanhedrin.� A man has just overturned our money exchangers' tables and let loose the animals donated to us for our meat supply, all donated through the generosity of many Temple worshippers.��

�� "We've handled worse cases before.� We were able to gather up most of what he scattered.� But we may have a case of blasphemy on our hands.� He called the Temple his father's house.� He claims to be God's son!"

�� "Captain," interrupts the high priest.� "Do you know who this heretic is?"

�� "Yes, sir.� His name is Jesus, and he's in town from Nazareth, Galilee.� And he claims to perform miracles in the name of God.� People are verifying that they've seen him do it."

�� Minds reel.� Holy minds.� How can they fight this man?� In private the High Priest walks the floor over it.� Will he lose his job to this Jesus?� He's getting too powerful!

�� The next day after reporting to his office, Nichodemus returns to the courtyard.� It is deserted except for a crowd gathered in a far corner.� A few minutes later he is at the edge of the crowd.� They are gathered around someone or something.� It is Jesus.

�� He listens.� He is surprised.� Pleasantly surprised.� Jesus is dynamic.� Jesus knows scriptures.� Jesus is quoting scriptures most priests and rabbis are afraid to quote.� They're not quite sure what they mean.� Jesus seems to know.� He acts like he knows.�

�� Afterwards he hears some people talking about a miracle.� A miracle?� Jesus performed a miracle?� This carpenter with wrinkled clothes and run-down sandals performed a miracle?� He turned water into wine.� They saw it with their own eyes.�

�� This Jesus looks a little familiar.�

�� "Jesus!" Nichodemus interrupts.� "How long have you been coming to the Temple?"

�� Jesus does not mind the interruption.� He smiles.� "Since I was twelve."

�� The rabbi counts back eighteen or twenty years in his mind.� He recalls a little boy named Jesus, same name as the High Priest's at that time.� Everyone noticed that coincidence.� That boy, Jesus, went up to some of the members of the Sanhedrin and asked some pretty deep questions about the scriptures.� Then he answered half of them himself.� An amazing little boy.��

�� " 'About my father's business.'� That's what that little boy kept saying," Nichodemus tells his wife at home that evening.� "He said the same thing back then.� He called the Temple his father's house.� I've got to talk to that young man." [15]

�� The next day at his office Nichodemus asks a Levite aide to find out where this Jesus is staying at night.� The aide reports back in mid-afternoon.

�� "Bethany.� He has some friends there.� Probably staying at the home of Lazarus."

�� It's early evening and time to go home.� But Nichodemus is not going home.� "Would you go by my home," he tells a Temple aide, " and tell my wife I'll be home late?� I'm going to a meeting tonight."

�� "With Jesus?"

�� "Yes, with him."

�� "How are you getting by with that?" the young aide whispers.� "He's not liked at all by the religious leaders.� Nor does he like them."

�� "Well, let's just keep this between you and me, my young friend."

�� "Of course."

�� Nicholas makes his way out of town and makes the short talk to the nearby town of Bethany.� He arrives just before dusk.� The gate keeper knows exactly where Lazarus lives.� He arrives at the gate and knocks. [16]

�� "Madam, is a man named Jesus staying here during the Passover season?"

�� "Yes, he is.� Would you like to see him?"

�� "Please."

�� In a moment, a young man appears at the gate.

�� "Sir, are you Jesus?� I'd like to talk with you in private, if I may."

�� "Oh, Nichodemus.� I've been expecting you."

�� Why did that not surprise him, that Jesus already knew his name?� They go up on the roof for privacy.

�� "We all know you are a true rabbi who has been sent by God to teach us.� After all, no one can perform the miracles you do without God's approval." [17]

�� "Yes, we all know ~ the entire Sanhedrin.� We won't all admit it, because you don't approve of us.� But I haven't approved of that body for years.� I just stay a part of it hoping I can be some kind of good influence sometimes.� But you're here to start the new kingdom of God, aren't you?� I want to be part of it.� I want to be your friend."

�� "I promise you, Nichodemus, that unless a you or any other person is born again, he cannot be a citizen in the kingdom of God." [18]

�� The elderly man is not expecting such a confusing answer.� He already said he believed.� What more is needed?� He is frustrated.� He asked a sincere question.� He's getting a trick answer.�

�� "Come on now.� Don't play games with me," he replies, wondering if he has made a mistake coming to see this young teacher.� "How can a man be reborn when he is old like me?� He can't re-enter his mother's womb." [19]

�� "You want the truth?� This is the truth, as hard as it may be to swallow.� No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of both water and the Spirit." [20]

�� The older man stands up and walks across the room.� He faces the wall a moment, looks up, wipes his brow, then turns back around.�

�� "You're mixing me up.� How can water, which I can see, influence my spirit, which I cannot see?"

�� Jesus stays seated.� "Flesh creates flesh, but the Spirit creates spirit." [21] Once more he waits for the old rabbi to sort through things.

�� Nichodemus, searches the scriptures in his mind.� He's read them enough he can do this.� He scans Isaiah.� He remembers it.� "We cried in pain, but gave birth to the wind, not salvation.� But some day the earth will give birth, the dead will rise and live." [22]

�� Jesus takes pours water from a pitcher sitting there into two goblets.� He sips from one.

�� "Water is involved in giving birth to salvation then?� Water, like in a womb?" Nichodemus asks.

�� "You shouldn't be surprised when I say you must be born again."

�� Nicodemus walks over to the table where Jesus waits.� He leans on it and looks into Jesus' eyes.

�� "Must be?� Surely you don't mean that, Jesus.� Besides, how can I know a ridiculous act like this saves me?"

�� "The wind blows wherever it wants to.� You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it came from or where it is going.� So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." [23]

�� The wind.� He turns his back on the table and walks back to where he had before.� He recalls his lesson of a few weeks earlier on the breath of God.� Jesus is playing on words.�

�� He ponders aloud.� "The wind and breath.� They're the same thing in the Hebrew language.� But how can literal water help one be reborn spiritually?� I can see how the fire of judging one's self can.� But water?"

�� "You are a highly-respected rabbi in Israel,"Jesus replies, "and you don't understand these things?" He takes another sip of the water.

�� Nicodemus needs more time.� It still doesn't make sense.� "Material water changes the spirit?� Jesus, you don't really mean this.� Unless....unless....well, we know we drink water to keep our spirit alive in our body.� But how....?"

�� Jesus continues.� "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you don't believe; how then can you believe heavenly things if I speak of them?" [24]

�� "You know about heavenly things too?"

�� "No one has ever ascended to heaven except the one who descended from heaven ~ the Son of Mankind." [25]

�� "Are you saying, Jesus, that you have already been in heaven and have come from there?"� The old rabbi's mind is overloading.� "I figured you were from God, but not like that.� Will there be more signs to prove all this?"

�� "God loved everyone in the world so much," Jesus explains, "he was willing to give up his one and only son so that everyone who believes in him and all he says shall not go to hell but have eternal life instead."

�� "Eternal life?� We thought God was angry at us.� We keep wondering what we've done so wrong that his nation has remained under foreign rulers for so many centuries."

�� "God did not send his son into the world to condemn everyone, but to save everyone through him." [26]

�� "He's not condemning us?� He wants to save us, Jesus?� How?"

�� Once again Jesus explains.� "Whoever believes in him and follows his commands will not go to hell ~ the absence of heaven.� But whoever does not believe stands condemned already."

�� "But you're making a lot of enemies out there.� You're not liked by the official religion.� People have already judged you to be a fake, a heretic."

�� "This is the real verdict:� Light has come into the world, but certain people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."

�� "You're right," Nichodemus agrees sadly and softly.� "The Sanhedrin is full of politics and game playing, fighting for power and position.� We tell people things that aren't in the scriptures, or tell them it doesn't matter if they don't do what God says because God doesn't really mean it.� All to build big congregations. All for prestige and power.� We don't even admit it to themselves.� We hate you for admitting it for us."

�� "Whoever lives by the truth comes into full view of the light, so that it may be seen plainly that he did everything with God's power." [27]

��"No secret sessions, Jesus?� Are you planning to be open with people?� Well, I guess you are.� You really sent the Temple sprawling the other day out in the outer courtyard." Nichodemus smiles as he recalls the event.� "You sure don't mince words.� People always know whose side you're on."

�� Jesus smiles.� This is all Nichodemus can comprehend for now.� Jesus has explained everything in a nut shell.� He's confident Nichodemus will come around some day.� Nichodemus is honestly seeking and trying to do what is right.

AD 27-29
Around Palestine

�� Jesus leaves Jerusalem and travels through Judea to preach and to baptize, with the assistance of his twelve aides.�

�� But some of Nichodemus' colleagues who follow John the Baptizer go to Jesus and try to start a rift within Jesus' forces.� Jesus has been gaining and baptizing more disciples than John.� In that case, Jesus does not want to compete with John.� John is helping people understand him.� So Jesus leaves and goes back up north. [28]

�� It will be a couple years before Nichodemus sees him again.� But there are rumors around Jerusalem that Nichodemus actually talked in person with Jesus.� The others taunt him in private just to keep him in line.

�� Hey, Nichodemus, did you know that Jesus of yours healed someone on the Sabbath during synagogue services?� He didn't ask anyone's permission.� He knows it's against the rules of the church to do anything out of the ordinary during services without previous approval.� But he blatantly did it anyway.� Made that man stand up in front of the entire assembly and hold out that ugly, withered hand.� Interrupted the sermon doing it.� That Jesus is nothing but a troublemaker. [29]

�� ....Hey, Nichodemus!� Guess what he's actually done now?� You'll never believe this one.� He actually told someone he forgave their sins.� The man was brought to him on a cot he was so sick.� Jesus "forgave" him, then told him to get up and walk.� If that isn't egotism, we don't know what is.� Only certain priests are allowed to pronounce forgiveness on anyone.� He never attained that position.� He never attained the endorsement of the religious leadership.� Someone ought to lock him up and throw away the key. [30]

�� ....Well, he's showed himself for what he really is, Nichodemus.� We took a woman to him who we caught in the very act of being unfaithful to her husband.� You know that's a sin.� He knew it was a sin too.� Instead he had the gaul ~ he had the gaul, Nicodemus ~ to start throwing our sins up to us.� Now, we know we sin occasionally, but this was not the time or the place.� If he had anything against anyone, he should have come to us individually and privately.� He's not a loyal churchman.� He goes against us in public too much.� Well, he'll pay for it. [31]

�� ....You know this Jesus you like so much?� Well, he's been seen associating with turn coats and people who openly pay bribes.� That's probably what he's doing.� Paying bribes so people will say he performed a miracle on them.� Don't trust him, Nichodemus. [32]

�� ....Well, now we find out that Jesus is a thief too.� Caught him stealing grain right out of the man's field.� He pled innocent because of the Law of Moses that says you can take just enough food to eat if you're hungry.� But did he have to take a dozen of his friends along with him to eat too?� He's nothing but a thief. [33]

�� ....The man is into witchcraft, Nichodemus.� Didn't know that, did you?� Yep!� There was a man who couldn't talk, or so they said.� Jesus claimed there was a demon causing it, so he pretended to exorcise him.� The man started talking again.� Anyone can pretend they can't talk.� A few days later he pretended to cast out a demon causing a guy to be blind and mute.� Anyone can pretend that too.� Next thing we know, he'll be into incantations and leading a coven of witches.�

�� When we called his hand on it, he called us snakes in the grass.� We're not poisoning the minds of the church.� He's the one doing that.� We're only trying to protect religious people from him.

�� Well, we decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, so suggested he work a miracle for us.� He refused.� He's dangerous.� Don't listen to him, Nichodemus. [34]

�� ....Well, we've had about enough of this Jesus of yours.� So we sent a delegation of Temple officials to him.� We asked him why he didn't keep the holy traditions of the church, the written creeds?� He never wears a star and beads, he never fasts, he never preaches on the creed of the elders, he doesn't acknowledge the church hierarchy.� He's nothing but a rebel.� Stay away from him, Nichodemus.� He's trouble spelled with a capital T.

�� ....Hey, Nicholas.� You know what that Jesus is saying about us, your fellow Sanhedrin?� He's saying we're full of hot air.� He's saying we're like yeast puffs up a piece of bread and fills it with holes.� We've upheld the tradition of the fathers all our lives.� But that Jesus is telling people we're not worth listening to. [35]

October AD 29
Jerusalem, Judea

�� It's been two years since that night that Nichodemus sneaked off to interview Jesus in private.� Two years of listening to taunts and trying to keep quiet lest he be ousted from the Sanhedrin.� He secretly believes more and more this Jesus.� But he doesn't have the courage.� It will come.

�� It is the Feast of Tabernacles, another national and religious holiday.� People are swarming Jerusalem and the Temple.� Many are looking for Jesus, but it is dangerous any more for Jesus to be in this part of the country.� Part of the occupation government is trying to have him executed.� Part of the religious leaders are hoping someone will have him assassinated.� So Jesus stays away.� No one's surprised. [36]

�� Then, on the last day of the celebration, Jesus appears right there in the Temple preaching.� Of all the gaul.� He's a fool for preaching right on the front porch - literally and figuratively - of those who want him destroyed.

�� The Sanhedrin calls an emergency session.� "Have that Jesus cited for heresy.� Then we will turn him over to the government for execution as a traitor." [37]

�� The Temple guards leave to find Jesus.� Believe it or not, he's not hiding.� Jesus knows what they're going to try to do.� Jesus is surrounded by people who either love him or hate him.� There are enough who love him to beware.�

�� They don't want to start a riot.� Finally the guards give up and return to the Sanhedrin.� The members have remained in their chambers to wait and pronounce sentence as soon as he is brought in.� But no Jesus.

�� "For what reason did you fail to bring him?"

�� "We've never heard anyone speak like this man does!"

�� "Surely you are being led astray too.� Have any of the Pharisees believed in him?� Or the religious scholars?� The laity out there don't even know the scriptures and are excommunicating themselves if they believe him." [38]

�� Nicholas takes a deep breath and shuffles in his chair.� He can no longer hold his peace.� Nicholas ~ after all these years~- must stand and be counted.� He must defend Jesus.� He cannot allow things to continue as they are.� With pulse racing, knowing he may lose his job, his career, his status in the community, his life-long friends, he stands.�

�� "May I please have the floor?"

�� "Yes, Nichodemus.� What say you?"

�� "Our law does not condemn a person without giving him a trial and ascertaining his behavior, does it?" [39]

�� Eyebrows raise.� What's this?� A sympathizer?� Nichodemus a heretic too?

�� "Sir, Nichodemus is completely out of line."

�� Caiaphas is pleased with the interruption.� "Go ahead."

�� "You, sir, are not perhaps from up in Galilee too?� Investigate and see for yourself that no prophet ever came from up there so far away from Jerusalem.� Nothing important ever happens up there.� The prophets always come from the Jerusalem area." [40]

�� But, once again, the Temple officials' attempts are thwarted, and Jesus leaves town.

��" ....He's gone and done it now, Nichodemus.� You know that Jesus you're always defending?� Now he says we can't get divorced.� He wants to trap us in bad marriages.� Our law allows divorce for whatever reason we feel is valid.� He's actually limited divorce to one thing ~ an unfaithful mate.� He is so narrow minded.� He's going to get the whole world after him now.� He's digging his own grave." [41]

��" ....Have you heard what your Jesus is telling people now?� He's dressed you and yours down royally.� Negativism all the way.� You can never please him.� He's completely against our creeds.� He even found something wrong with the holy garments we wear so people will understand we represent God.� He didn't even like people calling us Rabbi.� He had the audacity to tell the world that the religious leaders were the ones who were going to hell.� The man's a lunatic."

�� "He topped it all off by condemning all of us to hell.� Can you believe that, Nichodemus?� He was talking to the most religious and dedicated religious leaders of the century, the cream of God's crop.� Our synagogues are bigger, our Temple has better choirs than ever, our contributions get larger all the time.� We're converting people all over the world.� And he says we're going to hell.� He's got it backward, Nichodemus.� It's Jesus whose going to hell.� He's an absolute blasphemer worthy only of death.� He should be stoned - or crucified.� Don't be surprised if your buddy, Jesus, turns up permanently missing one of these days. " [42]

�� "....Well, Jesus is back in town and managing to get a crowd around him right here in the Temple.� His audacity is going to kill him.� He stood right up and said that God doesn't even hear the prayers of us elders.� He said tax cheats and prostitutes are heard by God more than we are." [43]

��" We WILL stop Jesus!� Mark our words.� He cannot outsmart us forever.� He's been on the loose three years.� He'll never see a fourth.� He is taking on the Sanhedrin by himself.� We are too strong for him.� Separate yourself from this man, Nicholas, or you'll go down with him."

�� "....Now he's claimed to raise people from the dead.� The latest is Lazarus from Bethany.� On top of that, he's claiming he's the eternal king and eternal high priest predicted by King David.� Like he's never going to die.� Well, we'll just see about that.� We'll give him a chance to prove he can die just like everyone else." [44]

�� We've already called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.� We're looking for witnesses against him now.� We'll find him, Nichodemus.� We'll convince the government he's committed treason.� He'll be executed, and die just like everyone else. [45]

April AD 30

�� ....What's that noise outside?� What are those people shouting at?

�� Nichodemus rushes through the courtyard of the Temple and stands just outside the gate.� People shouting.� Praise God!� Praise God!� People waving palm branches.� Nichodemus is secretly pleased. [46]

�� "Go get 'em, Jesus!� You're right.� We're all hypocrites.� We tell them things are in the Scriptures that aren't there.� We tell them they can do things God has really condemned.� We tell them they don't have to do everything God commanded because he didn't really mean it when he said it.� I hope you make it, Jesus!� I really hope you make it!"

�� "What are you talking about, Nichodemus, out here by yourself?"

�� "Oh nothing."� Nichodemus is still afraid to go public with the fact that he's decided Jesus truly is the son of God.� It would ruin him.

�� "Look!" says one of elders looking out another window.� "The whole world has gone after him!� He must be stopped.� We've got to figure out another way.� He is destroying us." [47]

�� "Well, we did it, Nichodemus.� He's carrying his cross even as we speak.� It's all over.� We can go back to a peaceful existence now.� The Sanhedrin can finally rest in peace."�

�� Suddenly Nichodemus is sick.� Sick in his stomach.� Sick in his soul.� Why didn't he speak up more during the trial?�� Why is he so afraid of his fellow council members?� Why is he being more loyal to them than to God? [48]

�� He goes out to the street and up the road toward execution hill.� The crowd is there, the crowd that's always there for an execution.� Some crying.� Some laughing and celebrating.� Oh Jesus....

�� He stays to watch a moment.� Then he heads for home, but he doesn't arrive home.� He just walks.� He stops as the side, sits in the dirt awhile, then gets up and walks some more.� He's gone in circles and is now out of town again.� In the hills.� Still walking.� A wandering soul.� A soul searching aimlessly for answers that cannot come.

�� Nichodemus has not been honest with himself.� He has not been honest with his religious leader friends, with his students.� He hasn't been honest with God.

�� He fears the tearing and shredding as he is pulled apart.� One part of him stays loyal to the Sanhedrin that was so loyal to him for so long.� One part of him stays loyal to his friends who will turn on him if he ever disagrees with them.� One part of him falls at the feet of Jesus and says, "Forgive me....� Forgive me....� Forgive me...."

�� Nichodemus suddenly realizes he is praying to a man.� But not a man.� Nichodemus has seen enough.� Heard enough.� They all have.� He knows.� They all know.� Jesus is the son of God.� THE SON OF GOD!!!!!�

�� He stops walking.� It has grown dark.� It is early afternoon, but has grown dark.� He does not question it.� He only looks up into the heavens and raises his fist as though fighting off himself.� "He's the son of God!� Do you hear me?�� The son of God!";

�� He looks at the other people on the road as they rush by staring at the darkened sky, and shouts at them all.� "He's the son of God, everyone!� Stop!� Listen to me!� Jesus is the son of God!"

�� People stare at this strange man beside the road wondering if he's drunk, but they don't wonder very hard.� Maybe a little touched in the head.� They go on their ways, trying to hide from the darkness.

�� Suddenly he is aware that the world around him is silent.� The birds.� Crickets.� Little animals. �No flying or scurrying or making little noises.� Nothing.� The world is silent.� The sun is gone.� Hidden by something that dares to pretend it can conquer light.

�� Nichodemus stumbles over to a tree and sits on the ground, his forehead resting restlessly on his knees.� Nichodemus is crying.� "Oh my God....� Oh my God....� What have we done to your son?� Oh God...."

�� He leans back his head, closes his eyes, and engulfs his soul in the darkness.� An hour goes by.� Two.� Three.� Nicholas is lost in that darkness.� Lost and wandering.... [49]

�� The sun!� It's coming back!� God CAN conquer.� God CAN forgive.� Oh God!� Oh Jesus!� I'll never turn my back on you again.� They can do whatever they want to me ~ disfellowship me, excommunicate me, fire me.� But I will never let you down again.

�� Nichodemus stands and rushes back into Jerusalem and to the home of Joseph.� He pounds on his old friend's gate.� "Joseph, let me in!� Let me in, Joseph!"

�� The gate opens.

�� "Joseph, we've got to make it public."

�� "Yes, I know."

�� "I'll meet you at the cross." [50]

�� �� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� After Jesus came, the Apostle John said the entire kingdom of God is made up of priests (Revelation 1:6).� If Jesus is our king, we are in his kingdom.� Think about things priests and preachers sometimes claim God only allows them to do which the laity is not allowed to do.� Name one thing they do which you can begin doing right now.

2.�� Everyone is a part of a group they do not entire approve of.� It may be a company, a club, a neighborhood, a city, a country.� Name something within one of these groups that you do not approve of.� What first-step will you take to make your sentiments known?

3.� John 3:16 says God loves the whole world and does not want anyone to go to hell.� He even sent his own son to demonstrate how and explain how.� Does this fit your former idea of what God was like?� Would you be able to give your son into a world of ~ for example, ants (you are God compared to them) ~ to save them?� If you are this important to God, how will you make God more important to you?

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