Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 2nd Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 5:17-26 and John 3:16-21]God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. [John]
The Gospel According to John is characterized by the use of sharp contrasts: light/darkness, above/below, sight/blindness, disciple/world. The language of conflict permeates the gospel and the use of terms like judgment and condemnation appear as well. Scripture scholars believe this reflects the situation of the community for which this gospel was composed. Those who believed that Jesus is the one whom God has sent were being ejected from the synagogues. This explains in part the general use of the term, "the Jews," in the gospel - partially the religious authorities and partially the rejection by the community in general.
The use of the word, "the world," refers to those who do not accept Jesus as the one whom God has sent. It is a kind of "us versus them" way of thinking. Yet the text today speaks of God loving the world of unbelief and sending the Son precisely because of that love. The Farewell Discourse at the Last Supper will address the conflict with "the world" at some length (15:18-20; 17:6=26).
This is not merely a matter of what was happening at the time this gospel was composed. It is a matter for today as well. The "world" today is broader in terms of "secularism" as well as conflict between religious beliefs. Students here at the university community will speak of professors who reject or ridicule Christian faith and I suspect they will hear this from their peers as well. It is easy to find oneself in an "us versus them" mentality. Yet, God so loves the world that he has sent us as well to bear witness so that the world might be saved through the Beloved Son. The possibility of conflict and contrast, as the gospel warns us, will be part of the experience of discipleship. AMEN