Nicodemus and I sat together on the shady side of the Capernaum synagogue, comfortably lounging with an open scroll between us. Cups of wine are within easy reach. Nicodemus read with his yad, and I follow along. Although both of us can recite most of the Law and Psalms, we looked forward to these times when we sit and engaged in spirited arguments with someone we respect.

“In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time, he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.”

Nicodemus paused his reading, sensing that I was eager to comment. I sucked on my lip for a second before speaking, “If we could just keep two Sabbaths perfectly, I’m sure the glory of Galilee would shine! If the people would just quit working on the Sabbath and live quietly, even just for those two days, certainly the Messiah would come!” Nicodemus had heard this before, and what’s more, I had said it before, but he humored me with his attention and nodded along sagely before continuing.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death. You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.”

We paused for a moment, savoring the prophecy. I leaned back further and closed my eyes, contemplating the meaning of the words and wondering if I would live to see them fulfilled.

“For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.”

As if on cue, we heard soldiers walking on the nearby street, reminding us that the day had not come yet. “Gideon led only 300 chosen men to defeat the Midianites,” I said, leaning over conspiratorially. We both pondered this as we listened to the footsteps fade away.

“A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.”

“I tell you,” I said, wrapping the table with a knuckle, “If we keep two Sabbaths perfectly back to back, the Messiah will come! We remember when this land had zeal – Judas the Galilean, Zadock the Pharisee – those were men who knew the meaning of zeal!”

Nicodemus raised his eyebrows, “Those men are also dead,” he said, “and our countrymen are no better for it. When God is ready to set Israel free, he will do it. We won’t force his hand by violence. God’s kingdom will come in his timing, his way!”

It was our usual argument, and we fell into it amiably, only breaking for a sip of wine or to wave our hands in irritation.

As the heat of the day waned into the evening, people began to arrive at the synagogue. Their faces shone, having been freshly scrubbed of the day’s work dirt and grime. Many conversations joined our own, until the ruler of the synagogue invited us all inside. We had a guest teacher this evening, and everyone was curious to hear what he had to say.

Nicodemus and I were shown a great deal of respect by the younger men and given the best seats. It took us a while to figure out who the teacher Jesus was, as he blended into the crowd so well. He was a young, well-muscled man with calloused hands. After the boys of the Torah school read the day’s reading, the very reading we had been pondering over, Jesus took his place up front. He sat down under the Torah, looked around meaningfully for a minute, and then said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”