14 March 2021

Bible Reading

John 3 14-21

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Explanation

So it was Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees who came to Jesus at night, so that no one would see him, because Nicodemus was curious about Jesus. He had a question for Jesus, but that’s not right; he had a statement for Jesus. “Rabbi (or ‘teacher’), we know that you come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” That was a huge comment; huge, because first of all, Nicodemus said “we.” Apparently, Nicodemus was not alone in his curiosity; apparently, other Pharisees spoke in whispered voices late at night about the impact Jesus was having. But it was also apparent that they considered the possibility that Jesus was God’s Son. By day, they argued and attacked and condemned and ridiculed every action of Jesus, but by night, wondered if he just might be the Messiah.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, Nicodemus wondered how he could possibly crawl into is mother’s womb and be born a second time. Jesus said that a person must have both a physical birth and a spiritual birth, Nicodemus did not understand, Jesus was astonished that Nicodemus, who is supposed to be an expert at these things does not know the simplest of religious truths.

And then Jesus offers Nicodemus the greatest gift that he would ever receive, when he said these words:

“For God so loved the world
that he gave his only son,
so that whoever believes in him will not die,
but will live forever.”

All his life, Nicodemus saw God to be a harsh judge; a demanding task-master who must be offered animal sacrifices, and perfect obedience, and rules, and rules, and more rules. But in this late night conversation, for the first time in his life, God is described as one who loves, and forgives, and welcomes all. And it changed Nicodemus’ life forever.

Prayer

Dear God, We thank you that you love us so much that you sent your son to die for us. Thank you that you love, forgive and welcome us. Amen

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