The Gospel of John 3:1-17 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. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Let us Pray: Dear God You who call us into life that is deeper than our understanding, breathe Your Spirit into us again. Where our faith has grown tired, renew it. Where our hearts have become guarded, open them. Where we cling to what is familiar, teach us the freedom of being born from above. Let Your wind move through our lives with courage, clarity, and grace, that we may walk in the newness You desire for us. Amen.
In today’s Gospel Jesus pulls back the curtain and reveals the very logic of God’s love. This emphasis that God’s love should not be hidden behind a curtain or hidden at night but should be fully open and on display for all to see. Fortunately, we do not have to sneak out at night to listen to the Gospel and to be in the presence of God and His son. Understanding God’s Love is about radical re-creation. It is about a new creation, animated by the Spirit. So why did Nicodemus sneak out at night to see Jesus. When you go out at night you are less likely to be seen, and he definitely did not want to be seen. Jesus was in the eyes of the church leaders a threat to their standing and power. Nicodemus had so many questions in his head he needed answers and the only place he was going to find those answers was to go directly to the one he felt had the answers. Where do you turn when you need answers? I am sure you don’t have to sneak out at night to the pastor’s house. But you might find yourself sitting in a quiet special spot asking questions. Jesus went to the garden to pray and ask questions of His Father. Unfortunately, these verses have become so familiar that we risk missing their power and the impact they have on us. “For God so loved the world…” He did not Condemn it nor did He just not tolerate it but He loved it. It wasn’t just the “good” parts of the world, but the whole messy, broken, resistant world. God’s motive was and still is LOVE. He showed His love by giving to us His Son. So that no one would be lost. He sent Jesus not t to expose our failures but to heal them. Not to shame us but to rescue us and not to crush us but to lift us into life. Our faith in the Gospel and our understanding is the basis for our true faith. Faith that the last verses of this Gospel really says it all. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life”. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Amen.
Let us Pray: We pray for a deeper and unwavering trust in Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, especially in moments of doubt or struggle. Help us to fix our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith, knowing that through Him, we have victory over sin and the promise of everlasting life. May we live each day with the assurance of Your eternal love and the glorious hope of spending eternity with You. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 