What is your image of Jesus? How do you view him? How do you understand his ministry? Who is he and what is he here to be/do? The evening conversation with Nicodemus touches on these topics, guiding us into a deeper and more mature awareness of his identity. We are to be careful of our assumptions when it comes to Jesus. We are better off being filled with his teaching, having our thoughts transformed through the Word, not forcing his teaching into our way of thinking.

Walking with Jesus opens us to His Life and Work for us ... and among us. Realistically, His Life and Work among us are to be viewed and understood from His perspective. Jesus' comment of "the serpent raised up" clarifies his insight into being Messiah, forcing us to rearrange what we have come to know. Thankfully, Jesus goes on to explore and explain the serpent-image, sharing with us one of the most widely known sayings of the entire Bible.

Jesus cannot be reduced to human expectations! Nicodemus came to Jesus - at night - thinking he had figured Jesus out: "you are a teacher come from God." But, Jesus cannot be reduced to being just or only a "teacher," as the conversation points out. Jesus is more, connecting an Old Testament expert with the full intent and meaning of the Word of God. We are pointed toward an image that will test our understanding ... the image of the serpent on the pole.

The conversation with Nicodemus, in the presence of the disciples, continues with Jesus doing with him what he has done with us: giving us insight into the meaning of our expectations. What we think and believe must be challenged and re-oriented by the Word.

Nicodemus, and the little band of disciples walking with Jesus, are introduced to the Spirit working through water. "This is the entrance to the Kingdom?" becomes the question. Silence before Jesus becomes the appropriate response.

What Jesus did in the Temple, turning over the tables of the money changers, caused questions all the way to the top of the religious establishment. Nicodemus is moved to visit with Jesus and the little band of disciples in an after-hours gathering, away from the crowds. If Jesus wanted to gain respectability among the religious elite, this would be his chance. Or so we thought. However, the conversation did not go as Nicodemus, or His disciples, imagined.

We must always pay close attention to what Jesus says and does. Why? We must be utterly attentive to Jesus' actions and words because they carry immediate and long-term meaning. While he speaks with the "bigger picture" in mind, we listen with our "small pictures" in focus. Jesus expands our thinking because that is his intent. This is one of the reasons why he was born.

After singing the "Songs of Ascent," the small band of disciples was ready to see God take action. They longed for it, desired it, anticipated it. They had called Jesus "Son of God." So, when Jesus seems to act violently in the Temple, turning over the money changers tables, disrupting the functions of Israel's central story, this causes significant agitation. And, Jesus' action generated some pointed questions of "authority" from the religious leadership. "How dare you," they declare. "How about this," Jesus responds.

The excitement was building. There is a sense that the "time of the end" (as Daniel spoke of it) was approaching. The people of Israel in Galilee and in Judea seemed ready ... maybe more than ready ... for God to act on their behalf. With a small group of at least five, the same five who had begun walking with Jesus, who had been with him in Cana, who were now with him in Jerusalem, their expectations were on the rise. They were, at least, able to mouth the words. Jesus was giving them the real content and meaning of their words. Then they all get to the Temple!

Jesus just doesn't teach. Jesus acts. His words and actions align. And, he acts in such a way that what should be obvious - water made to be wine - actually reveals much more. This is an expression of glory; a revealing of the true substance of the Miracle Worker. For those immersed into the hope of Israel ... and aware of the exile of Israel at the same time ... can see in this act a deeper insight into what it means for Jesus to be Messiah.