By Night

When Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." John 2:23 - 3:15 

By Night

When the brightness of the day leaves us

and we are on our very own alone

it is then the darkness seeps in

and fear deep in the stomach's pits arrives.

We like Nicodemus fear we do not understand

we are not faithful or bright enough

we are no match for the world's temptations

and we sink to our knees in worry.

 At night we return to childhood

haunted by our inadequacies and faults

jealous and desirous of other children's gifts

wanting to be accepted and special too.

The Creator in the deepness of night

hears our shallow breathing and our tears

gave us hearts to hear hope in the dimness

and made us new as we give into sleep.

We are made new in the deepest dark

remodeled and caressed for the newer day

restored as a child in loving arms

made whole despite all the night's terrors.