RBWords

     The Nicodemus encounter provides us with an oft-quoted phrase that even made its way into the end zones of football stadiums and other nationally broadcast sports events:  God so loved the world......  Scripture scholars debate whether it is Jesus speaking at this point or the evangelist speaking about Jesus, but for our purposes it doesn't matter.  The statement stands on its own as a point of reflection.  The small part of the overall encounter that provides our gospel scripture today also contains other elements that I called attention to on Monday.  The contrast between light and darkness, "of this world" and not of this world, and words such as "works" and "eternal life" all make an appearance along with the earlier "Amen, amen, I say to you....." statements.  

     One of the major "themes" of the Gospel According to John is something scripture scholars refer to as "realized eschatology!"  This means that, in the Gospel According to John, eternal life begins with faith in Jesus and not only at physical death or the final resurrection.  Thus, in this gospel, THE one sin is failure to believe in Jesus.  The "world" in this gospel refers to all of humanity with its struggles and challenges.  God loves this world which He created by his Word and sent this word in human flesh to offer eternal life to the "world".  There are echoes of the Prologue to the gospel in this, and it is worthwhile to go back to the Prologue time and time again in reading this gospel.  For us, today, the assurance of God's love and the experience of eternal life through belief in Jesus as the one whom God has sent are powerful helps in a time of plague!  AMEN