Word to the Wise
Thursday, April 16, 2015 - 2nd Week of Easter - Thurs
[Acts 5:27-33 and John 3:31-36]The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever doesaccept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. [John]
The Nicodemus discourse continues today with the familiar contrasting image of above and below. These contrasts which appear throughout the Gospel of John give a kind of adversarial tone to the whole composition. Scripture scholars tell us that this reflected the situation of the community at the time of the composition. Preaching about Jesus in the synagogues led to conflict and expulsion. In the first scripture for today from the Acts of the Apostles, we have a good example of the conflict in Jerusalem between the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish authority at the time) and the Apostles.
In the Gospel of John, the most important thing is to believe in Jesus. Thus there is a continual challenge to the reader. I recommend to the Beloved Congregation the exercise of reading the entire Gospel of John. See how the themes of the "Prologue" are carried out to the end. Note the contrasts between above and below, light and darkness, believing and unbelieving, sight and blindness. See how the conversations between Jesus and various other characters in the drama revolve around statement-misunderstanding-statement. What are the "signs" and how to they reveal Jesus? Reading the whole thing will help to understand the parts. The Gospel of John is a powerful preaching, but it takes effort to understand. Getting the "big picture" helps. For, as Jesus says, "The one who God sent speaks the words of God." AMEN
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