Late one night, after most of us had gone to bed, a man named Nicodemus, who was a high ranking official in the federal government, came to visit Jesus. He didn't mince words.
"Look, there's a group of us who think that you're the real thing, but we're not going to stick our necks out for just anybody. We have to know for sure that you're not going to pull us into some mess. The last thing we need is for the governors to start making excuses to have people disappear into black bags never to be heard from again."
Several of us were still sitting around. Peter, James, John, and myself. I think they were trying to get some time in to ask Jesus some stuff about what he'd said earlier in the day. Me, I just couldn't sleep. Regardless of why we were up, Jesus' reply left us more than a little confused.
"The only people who will make it in my new Kingdom are the ones who are babies. Idiot kids and layabouts."
Nicodemus looked at us, like maybe we were in on some joke Jesus was playing. Understandably enough, I guess, but we were just as confused as he was.
"I... don't understand, are you saying you're going to start some child army? Like the guys in Africa and South America?"
Jesus did something that I hadn't really seen him do much yet (he'd seem to get a little more free with it as time went on). He rolled his eyes.
"No. I mean the only way you're going to get in on this is if you're starting over. You're in on the foundation. There's a hurricane coming, and it's going to go where it goes. You can either be a child of the wind, or you can be the old buildings."
"I don't get it" (heck, WE didn't get it, and we were supposed to be the core circle)
Jesus slapped his hands on his knees and let out a breath that was half growl and half laugh. "You're supposed to be a teacher and a leader, and you don't get these basic things? I'm talking to you about things you should know, and see everyday. I'm trying to put it in words you can understand, and you're not even meeting me halfway. If I can't talk to you about things of this Earth, things that you would see on the news, how are you going to understand if I start talking about things of Heaven? If I go so far as to tell you that the Son of Man must be lifted up, just like Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, I'm showing you my hand and trying to let you in on God's plan, but I honestly don't think you'd get it."
Nicodemus didn't stay much longer, and when he left, I think he was even more frustrated than when he'd shown up. I've got to give it to him, though, later when things got real tough, he was one who stepped up when we would have least expected it.
Looking back though, I finally understand what Jesus was saying that night. He was talking about change. The world wasn't going to be the same. God had given us his own son, and while we were just thinking it was going to be a new prophet, it was like the storm of heaven, and anyone who was willing to sign up would get in on the ground floor, experiencing a whole new life.
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