What’s it going to be?A cat stands in a doorway, mulling over an executive decision: “To be or not to be,” in or out. “She hesitates upon threshold, and wonders if she was too bold, while all the time I’m getting cold.”“The Chosen” episode called “Invitations” opens during Israel’s Exodus from slavery to God’s Promised Land. On the way, people complained against Adonai (God) and Moses, resulting in venomous snakes punishing the people for their sin.
To save people from death, God told Moses to hang a bronze snake on a pole. “Any Israelite who looks upon this bronze serpent and believes in the power of Adonai will be healed. It’s an act of faith, not reason.”Fast forward: In Capernaum, tax collector Matthew struggles to reconcile “reality” with miracles that he witnessed Jesus perform: an impossible catch of fish; a paralyzed man walking. What Matthew thought were established facts of nature seem like sand washing away from the shore of reason.Meanwhile, religious teacher Nicodemus, who witnessed two people miraculously healed, meets Jesus at night. Recognizing that Jesus came from God, Nicodemus asks why. Jesus saves people from sin (which is rejecting God’s way), establishing a kingdom that people cannot see or enter unless they are “born again” of water and the Spirit. A person’s spirit must be born to new life.More than words or miracles, Jesus heals us of sin by accepting the judgment that we deserve more than physical death: spiritual death. Like the serpent on the pole, “so will the Son of Man be lifted up so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
Nicodemus recognizes that only God could have healed Mary Magdalene from her demons, “and here You are, the Healer.”Jesus invites him to see more. Nicodemus reasons that he would have to give up who he is.
His followers, Jesus acknowledges, give up much, but what they gain is far greater and more lasting.
Nicodemus, his heart filled with reverential fear and wonder, declares, “I am standing on holy ground” and kneels to “kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way.”
Jesus finishes the quote from Psalms: “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”Next day, Jesus invites Matthew to follow Him. Giving up his secure vocation, Matthew accepts.Fast forward: To be “chosen” means you are established. This Christmas, accept the gift.
