| An astounding bible story is that of a sneaky Pharisee (Nicodemus) and Jesus. Nicodemus was astounded by the style, marvels and dispositions of the Master. He crept to Him in the spook of the night to find out His secret for success (John. 3:1-2). The Master in his distinct charismatic and humane style didn’t blow over the top like a bull that saw a red cloth nor prop his scintillating credentials like a peacock displaying its colourful feathers. He only gave a simple answer, his selling point (“Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to–to God’s kingdom”. John 3:3 – MSG).
One would have easily thought that the master at this point would intimidate this cowering “powerful” Pharisee, as most of us would probably do. At this point this man was “tripping” at the jaw dropping exploits of Jesus. A mundane man would have taken more time to reel out all his other exploits so this expert in Jewish laws and customs would see himself little indeed. Jesus didn’t do so. Let’s not forget that at this point He had done things that were hitherto unimaginable – he had gone without food and water for 40 days and 40 nights, he turned water to wine and he had done many more things that were not even written in the bible (John. 21:25). Jesus chose to teach, to inspire, to deliver and to save. He gave the man only one solution. He told the man to be born again.
The master’s answer was obviously distinct from the usual. The most ridiculous a scholar would have ever heard. Be born again? How? Why? Would my mother do the seemingly impossible? (John. 3:4) The natural senses couldn’t just comprehend. Then the master makes it clearer…. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John. 3:16). The master’s selling point was, is and would ever be the everlasting life (ZOE), the God Life, Divine nature, which God richly bestows on everybody who simply believes in the finished work of Jesus on Calvary.
The master’s selling point is the Divine ability, health, authority, creativity, ingenuity, wisdom, understanding, uniqueness, unequivocal superiority, unquenchable love and unmatched integrity and humility that no normal human can possess (2 Tim. 1:7). It was on the basis of these abilities that the religiously well versed Nicodemus was awe struck. It was obvious that no such being had walked and worked upon the face of the earth. He had never seen, heard and read of all round success in that dimension before. None of the Prophets of old possessed it. Jesus was, is and will always be different. This same qualities the believer has free of charge (John. 1:12). We can all do what Jesus did and is capable of doing, because we are his exact replicas here on earth (1Jhn. 4:17).
The master’s selling point can also be our selling point. His selling point was His distinct lifestyle, his all round successful life, His cutting edge in an uncertain world. He didn’t live like a normal person because he was abnormal. He didn’t live like a natural person because he was supernatural. Let this always be our selling point because we are blessed with the super life (Ephesians 1:3).
To be continued.
emeka ofia |