Encuentros inolvidables. Roberto Badenas

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СКАЧАТЬ Next to him, suddenly John the Baptist appears small and insignificant.

      For a long moment John stands motionless. Then he turns toward the stranger and, grasping the man’s hands in his, falls on his knees in the water.

      “This is the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world. You must follow Him, not me. This is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born’ ” (John 1:15, 29-34; 3:22-36).

      John looks into Jesus’ eyes as he continues: “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? I baptize with water, but you will baptize us with the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 3:11).

      But Jesus lifts John to his feet. “John,” He says, “today I begin my special ministry. I have come to lead men and women back to God. Help me to do everything according to the divine plan” (Matt. 3:13-15).

      Trembling, John lowers Jesus under the water. Above them the sky opens, and a white light embraces them in its warmth. A thunderclap rolls across the heavens and a rich, majestic Voice declares, “This is My Son, whom I love. With Him I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:16, 17).

      The light dims, and as the Voice fades into the distant hills, Jesus wades through the stream and steps up on to the bank. He slips on His robe and makes His way through the shocked and silent crowd.

      As He passes nearby, His sparkling eyes fall upon those who have come in search of life’s meaning. His smile encompasses those nearest. They know He has come as their Brother and somehow sense that He has prayed for them. There in the Jordan River He prayed that everyone there would feel the warmth of God’s love, and that each one would let the waters of forgiveness wash their hearts clean. He prayed that they, too, would hear God’s voice say, “You are My beloved Child. I am satisfied with You.”

      In that single moment Jesus restored to each the love they had missed for so long. And although immediately after His baptism He disappeared into the mountains of the desert, many realized they had found the Teacher for whom they had been searching. They knew that only He could fill the void within their hearts. They knew that they

      must find Him again.

      In the Night

      I shall be… born again?

      Deserted streets stare in sinister silence as he pulls his cape partially over his face to prevent being recognized in the pale-white moonlight. Cautiously he steps out of the darkened doorway. Life in the city has taught him to distrust the shadowy portals, yet he prefers the darkness to the ridicule he will face if caught rendezvousing with the young Teacher.

      Jesus’ peculiar style both fascinates and frightens him. No one has ever displayed such a powerful, independent personality. Who else would be so bold, so forward, as to chase the merchants from the Temple?

      Nicodemus recalls the many teachers to whom he has listened in his spiritual quest. This man’s ideas do not come from any of the common schools of thought, nor from any known sect or political party. Jesus’ magnetic spirituality sparks Nicodemus’ professional curiosity. He decides that he must discover this Man’s secret.

      But approaching Jesus poses a difficult and compromising act. Nicodemus has spent his entire life preparing to be a doctor

      of the law. An excellent student in the rabbinical schools and now a powerful Pharisee, he is known for his knowledge of Scripture. He even holds a coveted seat on the Sanhedrin. To be seen consulting with this itinerant preacher would be to risk his reputation as a scholar.

      Nonetheless, after careful thought, Nicodemus decides to meet Jesus at night in an obscure place. And in order to avoid feeling intimidated by a visit that could become too personal, he approaches Jesus as the representative of a group who share his ideas. Nicodemus does, in fact, have friends who look with sympathy upon the Galilean. But they also fear risking position and honor, and have chosen to remain in the shadows.

      Nicodemus has reached the rendezvous. For a moment, standing in front of Jesus, he seems to forget his social status. At last he senses that he can allow his feelings of unrest to surface. He seems to

      know that with Jesus he can admit the nagging feeling of emptiness that has been with him for so long. In a spirit of humility rarely seen in men of his class, he addresses this country carpenter as Rabbi, or “Teacher.”

      The essence of this conversation, undoubtedly deep and engaging, takes only half a page in the Gospel of John.

      “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with

      him” (John 3:2, NIV).

      Taking no notice of the flattery, and dispensing with protocol, Jesus accepts His role as teacher and presents Nicodemus with ideas that will force him to revise his entire way of thinking.

      Jesus begins with a challenge. “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That is, if you want your world to change, first you must change.

      Nicodemus takes a step back. What does Jesus mean? It is true that many things must be corrected and changed in order to make the world a better place. He himself wants a great change. He longs for the Messiah’s appearing and for the liberation of Israel and a prosperous kingdom under the divine blessing. He has come to Jesus to find out how he, as a national leader, can accelerate its coming. Even his name (Victory for the People) reveals his desire for change.

      But the idea of a new birth from above, of a new beginning,

      stops him in his tracks. He does not see any relationship

      between the desired change in world affairs and his own way

      of life. A complete transformation, a radical personal change, seems not only impossible but unnecessary. After all, he is Nicodemus—honest, sincere, religious, respected, admired, and appreciated.

      Must one really become a different person with other ideals, other goals, much higher than those held before? Cannot anything be salvaged? Is it even possible to break away from the past and begin again with better principles?

      If he understands Jesus correctly, then he must abandon even the most sure and indisputable of his beliefs and ideals. Does this mean that religious piety, even devotion as faithful as his, will not suffice? That such faithfulness is not enough to enter the kingdom of God?

      Nicodemus, good Pharisee as he is, believes that man can save himself through obedience to the divine laws. Is he not good enough to enter God’s kingdom? Must he admit that he needs a new life rather than new religious practices? Must he admit that he is a spiritual embryo when he has imagined himself upon the peak of spiritual maturity? Isn’t it all a bit excessive?

      Nicodemus cannot comprehend what Jesus is saying. You see, every man is a result of his past, a slave to his family upbringing, his social background, and the unique circumstances that have, to a great extent, conditioned his responses. No one can forget his past. Surely no one can break with everything and begin again.

      But Jesus insists. Not even the best heritage, the most advantageous surroundings, or the most exclusive religious education can guarantee entrance into the superior realm of reality that we call the kingdom of God. None of this is sufficient, because the simple reality is that we must allow God to reign unconditionally within us. And we all are so far from allowing Him this privilege that to do so truly means being “born СКАЧАТЬ