RBWords

[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 does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.  For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God."  [John]

     The Nicodemus "discourse" continues in our gospel scripture, and some more traits of this gospel show up.  Repetition is certainly one of them, but it is often done in a kind of spiral that moves the discourse along.  Contrast is another trait - above/below, light/darkness, sight/blindness.  Judicial vocabulary appears in the words like "testimony," "verdict," "judgment." Another continual theme, which is at the heart of this gospel is that Jesus is "the one whom God sent."  A final, and also very important theme is in the last words of today's passage when Jesus says "Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life....." [emphasis mine]  This is what scripture scholars and theologians refer to as "realized eschatology."  Eternal life, in the Gospel According to John, begins with faith in Jesus as the One whom God has sent.  It is both a present and future reality.

     One might say, "Do I need to know all these devices and expressions to gain benefit from reading the Gospel According to John?"  The answer is "no" but such knowledge is critical for an in-depth appreciation of the portrait that this evangelist is painting of Jesus.  I opt for this in-depth appreciation and try to share it here.  We, like NIcodemus, are always coming from darkness into light and are faced with the truth which is Jesus.  The Prologue to this gospel (which should be read multiple times as we move through the whole gospel) says: But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name."  We are faced with the Word Made Flesh, dwelling among us.  AMEN