The sun never did seem to have any sense. It was like a cosmic joke arranged between the heavens and earth. Whenever some sunlight is necessary, a cloud meanders in the way. Right now, a cloud would be a welcome intrusion, but none was to be seen. The throng gathered under the delighted sun, prisoners to its terrible sense of humor. They had been there for hours and now the pleasure of the eye in the sky melted away into displeasure at their continued presence, making one last bid to chase them to shelter before it settled behind the hills for its nightly rest. Still no one rose to leave. This was not the kind of place to casually walk away from. After all, they were at the feet of the teacher, the prophet.
More incredible than the disdain of the sun was the stamina of Jesus. Addressing a crowd of thousands required a commanding voice to be sure, but to sustain that voice for a length of time was a daunting task. Jesus had been at it for more than four hours already. Signs of tiring began to show as the day drew to an end, but he would not be hindered.
Epaphros had never seen such a supreme eloquence, noble compassion, or enlightened wisdom. For years, desperate for something more than his mediocre profession and disappointing personal life, Epaphros had journeyed from city to city to better himself. He would attach himself to the wise men and the teachers, leeching away any knowledge he could get his hands on. From the moment he woke until the moment he slept, he devoted his life to one goal: to become better. To become stronger. To become wiser. To become pious. To be a better man. But what did that really mean? For all his dedication, each day he awoke to the same face, the same weaknesses, the same man. In the end, the failures overcame the flame for growth. Apathy swept away all desires that previously inflamed him to succeed. The light of life had all but faded from him until a name casually mentioned had rekindled his ambition. It was the name of Jesus. A name that he and three others had held in their hearts for thirty years.
Forsaking all other duties, Epaphros followed every story and rumor until he had been led to this place. In his heart, he had been hoping for a private meeting with Jesus, but the large assembly before him removed any such poetic illusions from his mind. And yet, he was not in the least disappointed. He was enthralled, entranced by every word that proceeded from the mouth of the prophet. He taught his listeners what they needed to be blessed and to avoid woe.
“Can the blind lead the blind?” Jesus asked. “Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” That’s it, Epaphros reveled, so simply stated, but perfectly true. For all his searching and trying, a man cannot grow or better himself if he is following a blind teacher. Blindness begets blindness. But if the right teaching is followed, one can be whole. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good.” If the heart can be disciplined…no, if the heart desires good, good will be found. Even still, doubt nagged Epaphros.
Here was truth before him, yet it still felt unattainable. It seemed as though a titanic wall impeded him from crossing over. How can such a teaching be found or truly followed?
Jesus paused, changing to another story. He told of to men building houses. One built his house on the rock and it was firm. If a man put his faith in a solid foundation, then every stone laid thereafter would be strong. This was the key, the firm foundation! If he could build upon solid ground, then growth was inevitable and inexhaustible. If he built on sand, then the whole structure would collapse. “And great was its fall,” Jesus declaimed. And the wall between Epaphros and the truth tumbled with a groan.
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