Jesus — On Being Unable to See the Future

Caleb had a friend named Miriam who lived not far from him on the outskirts of Rome. They were both Christian and cautious. They blended in with the varied people on the streets. They discussed their faith with those they knew and trusted.

Caleb told Miriam of his talk with Jesus. She immediately wanted to go with him for a conversation. And so she did. But this time Caleb was surprised to hear that Jesus would not talk to both of them at once.

“Tell Miriam to call on me,” Jesus said. “I will gladly talk to her.”

Miriam and Caleb soon figured out that time with Jesus depended on forming direct one-to-one relationships. Miriam went off by herself. She asked Jesus, “What will happen tomorrow? What will happen ten years from today?”

“I don’t know,” Jesus said. “No one does.”

“Why?” Miriam responded.

“Because reality moves forward. It unfolds. We move with it.”

“You cannot tell the future?”

“No. No one can. People who claim they know are guessing. Of course you can affect things you can control. But even then there is no knowing the future.”

Miriam changed the subject: “Caleb says you died on the cross.”

“Yes.”

“And forgave your killers?”

“Yes, I did. Do you know why?”

“Love?”

“They did not know what they were doing.”

“That’s why?”

“Yes. That’s why I forgive many. For not knowing. For not thinking. For not taking responsibility.”

“What if they do know?”

“Everyone knows eventually.”

“I don’t understand.”

“When we die we can see every event of our whole lives. That can stimulate a sense of responsibility.”

“What about the Emperor who sends us to the lions?”

“He knows. Rulers know. Those who serve rulers know.”

The entire conversation transfixed Miriam. Is life a test? A test of knowing? Of awareness? She told Caleb what Jesus said. These conversations were about to rock her entire life.