John 3:1–17 (NRSV)
Read John 3:1–17 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. Verse 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Verse 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Verse 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Verse 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Verse 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Verse 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' Verse 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Verse 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Verse 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Verse 11"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. Verse 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? Verse 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. Verse 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, Verse 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Verse 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Verse 17"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Devotion
Jesus’ reference to himself as being like the serpent in the wilderness is shocking. Can he, who is love, be compared to the poisonous serpent who was killing the Israelites, and who, on being lifted up, saved them when they looked on him? He says so. There is a wonderful phrase in French, “coup de grâce.” It can be translated as death blow or mercy killing. Jesus has come to give the death blow to death, sin, and the devil. And in our baptism—his mercy—kills the death in us, so we can be saved. On the cross he wins the victory over his enemies. And so, as John has it, this is where he is made king over all the powers.
Prayer
Dear Lord of all, we are filled with awe at your mercies that rescue us from eternal death. Teach us to look to you for life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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