The Coolest Thing You'll Read This Week!

It's late, so my title is lacking.  I re-stumbled over an old lesson that I think is pretty cool. I promise - if you stick with me, you will be glad you did.

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Most of you are familiar with the story about Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3).  It is essentially Jesus explaining to Nicodemus that in order for one to enter into the kingdom of heaven he has to be born again.  Upon Nicodemus' ridiculous (my opinion) response about a man being unable to enter his mother's womb a second time Jesus explains further.

Jesus answers, "Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  What is amazing is that after Nic. still doesn't understand Jesus insults him.

He says to Nic., "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?"  So Jesus is astonished that Nic. isn't getting it.  Why, I ask, does Jesus expect him to understand this new teaching. Because it's not new. Now not to overstep my pay grade here, but as I understand it, back in those days, young boys who were being groomed to one day be rabbis had to have the Tanakh (Old Testament) memorized.  So a rabbi of Nicodemus' stature would have been expected to not only have it memorized, but to know it better than just about anybody. (And since he was a rabbi in a time when Israel was occupied by Rome he likely knew it in several languages).  Now to the cool part.

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If you look in Proverbs 30:4 it reads:

"Who has ascended into heaven and descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is His name or His son's name?

Surely you know!"

Starting to see where I'm going??  OK.  Last part to put this together.  In the verse in John most Bibles translate that as "born of water and the Spirit", but the Greek word used for spirit is the same word used for wind...pneuma. So is it possible that when Jesus told Nicodemus that "He had to be born of water and the wind" He expected "the teacher of Israel" to immediately be reminded of the verse in Proverbs, which he undoubtedly knew...and realize that he was face to face with God's son?  When Jesus was incredulous that he didn't understand...even that was a key for Nicodemus.  "Surely you know."  

Notice how badly Jesus wanted him to not just get it, but to make the connection, see God before him, bow down to worship him and have eternal life. I was stunned when I first saw this.  Hope you are too. 

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If this isn't the coolest thing you've heard this week you need to check your pulse.  If you do think this is the coolest thing you've heard, share it with someone.  I promise not to send them spam.

Tomb of a disciple discovered

Quick prelude.  Phillip, in case you don't recall, was the disciple who told Nathaniel about Jesus.  When Nathaniel responded with "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Phillip replied, "Come and see."  I like biblical archaeology for the simple fact that it reminds us that our faith is based in history, in real people, real places, this person lived and died.  I find it fascinating and comforting.  Enjoy.

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An Italian professor has announced the apparent discovery of the tomb of St. Philip, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles, at the ancient city of Hierapolis in the Aegean province of Denizli.
 The discovery of the grave of the biblical saint, who was killed by the Romans 2,000 years ago, will attract immense attention around the world, said Francesco D’Andria. St. Philip, one of the 12 apostles, came to Hierapolis 2,000 years ago to spread the Christianity before being killed by the Romans, the professor said.
D’Andria has been leading archeological excavations at the ancient city for 32 years.

  
“Until recently, we thought the grave of St. Philip was on Martyrs’ Hill, but we discovered no traces of him in the geophysical research conducted in that area. A month ago, we discovered the remnants of an unknown church, 40 meters away from the St. Philip Church on Martyrs’ Hill. And in that church we discovered the grave of St. Philip,” said D’Andria.
D’Andria and his team have not opened the grave but are planning to do so soon.
 “St. Philip is considered a martyr. In fact, the church built in his name on the Martyrs’ Hill is, for this reason, also called Martyrion, despite the fact there were no traces of the grave of St. Philip. As we were cleaning out the new church we discovered a month ago, we finally found the grave. With close examination, we determined that the grave had been moved from its previous location in the St. Philip Church to this new church in the fifth century, during the Byzantine era. We are extremely happy and proud to have discovered the grave of a saint whose name appears in the bible – this surely is an important discovery for religious tourism, archaeology and Christendom,” the professor said.