paradigm shift

As a teacher of the Law in Jewish community I always meticulously did what my law demanded. What my Torah taught me. And I made sure I taught the common man too.

But this man has been different. He taught with authority. As if He is from God. Why is He different?

We taught an eye for an eye, a hand for a hand. But He teaches to show the other cheek as well.

We taught love your father and mother, your neighborhood and your friend. Love your God is what we taught. But He says love your enemy.

We taught do not commit adultery. He tells do not look lustfully at a woman.

We taught do not murder. He says do not be angry and not call another one Raca.

We taught , be in important places, projecting yourself especially in synagogues be in the most prominent places to worship YHWH. But He says give importance to others.

We taught to give heavy alms and God will bless you. He says that poor widow who gave two shekels gave more than the other one who gave a bag full.

How has He got the power to heal so many lepers. And did you hear of the parlaytic in Bethsheba? They say he was there for the past 37 years. And now he walks.

The evil spiritted are walking sane now.

Even Lazarus. Can you believe? He was dead. And this man goes to his tomb and calls him by name. And even though he was rotten for three days, Lazarus walks out in flesh and bones! I mean who is He?

But Caiaphas says these are all gimicks. He says He is trying to fool. And that He is driving out these demons through Beelzebub. But actually how can a kingdom divided against itself stand? Caiaphas hates this man and he is prejudiced. He says man cannot forgive our sins. But He claims He comes from the heaven. He claims He is the Messiah we are waiting for.

And now Caiaphas has plotted fervently to trap Him. He got hold of one of His friends called Judas, who always had his eyes on the purse. And for thirty silver coins he has agreed to jilt Him.

Even Pilate said He couldn't find anything wrong in Him. And I was there when he washed his hands. ( They say his wife is This man's follower now).

And they have now sentenced Him to the most gruesome death. And never have I heard of being whipped and slashed and then sentenced for crucifixion. And can u imagine, the cross usually weighs almost like a man and sometimes even more. And He had to carry that heavy cross through the streets of Jerusalem. People mocking Him. Crying for Him.

Does this man really deserve this? I have thought always that He hasn't committed any sin. Then why does YHWH allow it? The Lord should have easily intervened. Just like He gave strength to Samson, like Gideon, like splitting the Red sea.

Now I'm standing in Golgotha. Skulls of all those criminals are scattered all around. Does He deserve it? I'm perplexed!

Like me many know that there was no sin in Him. But none of us dared to open our mouth for Caiaphas has threatened us. But I don't know why He did not open His mouth to defend Himself. To justify that He did nothing wrong. He kept quiet. But all through on the cross He kept talking to God. He kept calling Him Father. Man! There is a true man. I presume He has a genuine reason for doing this.

I couldn't look on. I couldn't see Him dying. I felt I have done something terribly wrong. I have sinned against the Lord.

The Torah teaches me to offer a sin offering if I have committed a sin. Tomorrow is Sabbath. A day of rest. So if  I don't do it today. I can't bear the weight of this sin for three days. I have to rush. 

I'm getting back home to get my young lamb that I should offer.

One hour later I'm infront of the altar to offer the sin offering. Contrite as I am. Heavy hearted as I am I lay my hands on the lamb and the priest slaughters the Lamb. As I'm waiting for my turn. I see the sky gets darkened. The thunders roll. The sun is darkened. I have never seen this. And with a huge roar the curtain seperating the holy place and the most holy place splits apart.

Awestruck. I can't move my hands. My jaws drop. Can't utter a word. There is a lump in my throat. What is happening. Now people can just barge into the most Holy place.

As I'm wondering what to do with my sacrifice. I hear a strong but soft sound from the most Holy place. I could see no one. But the sound was quiet evident." It is finished"

And also I hear the same voice calling out my name saying there is no need of any more sacrifice. It is all done.

Now i realize, He was indeed Messiah! He came to die as a sacrifice. For me. And what Nicodemus had been saying is true. Born again is not of physical birth. It's something more something deep. Something renewing. Something made new inside. 

Is this what He promised of changing my heart of stone to a heart of flesh?