9 Nicodemus said, “How are these things possible?”
10 “Jesus answered, “You are a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things?
11 I assure you that we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you don’t receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Human One. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. 16 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. 17 God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Reflection
This past Sunday, July 13th, Pastor Joe’s message was based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke Chapter 10. I don’t often use phrases like “must see” but if you did not see that message that phrase really applies. You will be glad you made the effort as the approach was unique and what we learned was valuable.
There are two points in the parable of the Good Samaritan that can inform how we interpret today’s scripture.
First, in Luke 10 a legal expert asks Jesus “who is my neighbor?” which triggers Jesus speaking the parable. In verse 30 Jesus says that a man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers who stripped him, beat him, and left him half dead. Note how purposely ambiguous the description of the man is. We don’t know if he was friend or foe, his language, his skin color, nothing. He is simply a human being in need. Clearly Jesus is asking us to care for people regardless of their identity.
Second, analogously, Jesus does not focus on the identity of the Levite or the priest, or why they did nothing. Instead, Jesus focuses on the heart and actions of the Samaritan. He is described as first being moved with pity, then putting his journey aside, and goes into action bandaging the wounds, putting him on the animal he had been riding and walking to an inn and then continuing to care for him. The following day he leaves but not without asking the innkeeper to care for the wounded man and that he will come back and cover the costs.
Let’s now look at our scripture for today.
3:9-13 Nicodemus couldn’t understand the new kingdom age of the working of the Spirit even though it was taught in the Old Testament (3:9; see Isa 32:15; Ezek. 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-29). As a teacher and leader, Nicodemus should have known of it.
If Nicodemus could not grasp earthly things, that were plainly taught in the Scriptures, how could he grasp the heavenly things that only Jesus could reveal (John 3:12)? Through God’s grace we can have a new heart (see 1 Sam 10:6; Jer 31:33). Jesus can reveal deep heavenly truths as only he has descended from heaven and is the connection between heaven and earth. (John 3:13).
3:14-15 The mention of Moses lifting up the snake is a reference to Numbers (John 3:14; see Num 21:4-9). If anyone bitten trusted God and looked at the bronze snake, Moses crafted as God had asked, they would be healed. Similarly, Jesus will be lifted up (on a cross; John 3:14), so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (John 3:15).
3:16 God’s love is not sentimental; it prompted him to take action. God the Father gave his one and only Son as a substitute for sinful human beings. He would die in their place, bearing their sins.
What parallels do you see between the Parable of the Good Samaritan and what Jesus said to Nicodemus the night that he came to visit?
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
How do you feel about taking action, loving, caring and mercy?
These stories are about putting what is important ahead of what is less important.
How do all of us learn best values, and then share them with others?
Prayer: Holy God, we know that you have made us for yourself, to love you and to love our neighbors. Even still, we cannot help but live for ourselves, and every day we justify ourselves by our own standards, not yours. But lord, you have found us in the ditch, and you have rescued us. Now soften our hearts to your will and help us to love others as you have loved us: especially those who are most in need, whom we pass by every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Ross Byrd, re-worship.blogspot.com)
