One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Wind: The One who moves like the wind 

Nicodemus was no coward. He didn’t come at night to avoid being seen talking to the Teacher. He came at night because that’s when we Jews love to talk. Under the stars, old men dream dreams, and young men see visions. And when Pharisees debate about God.

I had followed the Rabbi two years when I met Nicodemus that night. Me, a talmidim from Galilee meeting a member of the Sanhedrin. What an honor! He looked me square in the face and asked, Is what they say about your rabbi true? Does He raise the dead? And I said, I’ve seen it, sir. 

They talked alone on the roof, catching a breeze off the hills. We sat downstairs,   very still, leaning towards the window, listening. As expected, Nicodemus presented his argument like the politician and Torah scholar he was. The Pharisee of Pharisees. But Jesus didn’t answer as we expected. Blunt. No rhetoric, no room for debate. He matched Nicodemus’ brilliance point by point.

“My life is dedicated to following God’s law . . .” Nicodemus’ words lingered in the night sky aglow from the temple, where his days started and ended. “We obey to the smallest detail. We know something is wrong with our system but we dream God will send us Somebody someday to make it right. Until then, we do our best, hoping for God’s approval. Expecting . . . reassurance? I’ve done all I can and still I wonder what else He requires.”

“Your best isn’t good enough.” Jesus spoke evenly. “Sincerity, obedience—they’re not enough. Your heritage, not enough. You’re an excellent Jew, Nicodemus, but you must be born again.” 

All us eavesdroppers sat up straight and looked around. In all our years with the Teacher, we never heard this before. Born again? Nicodemus must have been confused, too. 

“What you need is life. Life from within. Life from above. Only God can give you the satisfaction you’re after. You don’t need to twist His arm, He’s wants to do this in you from start to   finish. Unless a man is reborn, he is powerless to see God.”

Just then, a gust of wind blew across the roof, scattering leaves, knocking over a pot. 

“His work in you is like that. Like the wind. Invisible, strong, we see only its result. But it begins when you believe in Him and in return He gives you a new birth.” 

“But how is this so?” He muttered to himself as much to Jesus.   

“You’ve tried so hard; you’re a faithful servant, but God doesn’t accept you because you earn it. It’s in His gift. He loves you so much that He gave His Son to do the work on your behalf. Believe this and you’ll have the whole and lasting life you’re after. And not just life here, but life to come.” 

They talked late into the night. When they said their shaloms, Nicodemus knew it was not goodbye. I watched the honorable old man turn down the dark street, his steps slow at first, then picking up till by the time he turned the corner towards the temple, he was almost at a run. 

He came looking for a miracle and was surprised when the miracle happened in him.  

Tomorrow: One on one with the One who satisfies