Sunday 1 March 2026
"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." (v. 17)
Background
Nicodemus is a senior religious Jewish leader who comes to Jesus by cover of darkness. (v. 2) Physically and spiritually when we are in darkness, we look more carefully because we are less sure of our footing. Our confidence in our ideas of what we know loosens up. It can transform us!
Nicodemus tells Jesus what he already knows in his heart and gut, that Jesus could not do the signs that he does if God were not with him. (v. 2)
Jesus affirms that this is true, saying you can only know the kingdom of God if you were were born from above, which confuses Nicodemus. How can there be a second birth? (v. 4)
The Judaism of the time attached great emphasis to being born into the right family, the family of Abraham. We all are born into a particular human context and that is important to our identity. However, Jesus speaks of a further birth, and a new family: we enter the kingdom of God by being born of water and the Holy Spirit. (v. 5)
John the Baptist baptised people with water (John 1:33) as a sign of their repentance and promised one who would come after him who would also baptise with the Holy Spirit. We are invited to see Jesus as that person. The deep, inner bubbling up of new life is what Jesus offers.
This new family of God will be a family which includes all sorts. (v. 8) The wind blows where it chooses! Jesus speaks of how he and the disciples have witnessed and seen with their own eyes this new life and family bubbling up in their midst. (v. 11)
As for what ‘heaven’ is like no-one (no human) has seen heaven except for the Son of Man (Jesus). (v. 13)
Verse 14 refers to when the Israelites escaped from Egypt. When they were in the wilderness they grumbled to Moses and were punished with poisonous snakes. God told Moses to make a serpent out of bronze and hold it up on a pole. Whoever looked at the serpent would live. In John’s Gospel this becomes of a symbol of Jesus being lifted on the cross to save people and give them new life and a new family.
The foundation of this new family is stated in verse 17. God has sent his son into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. God's hallmark is not condemnation, but love, compassion and kindness.
To Ponder:
- Nicodemus believes in Jesus but is looking to deepen his understanding. What questions would you like to ask Jesus to deepen your understanding about faith? What confuses you?
- Write your own dialogue with Jesus, trying to understand what God is up to in a situation, remembering that God is loving, rather than condemning.
- What is attractive and/or alarming about being born into God’s new family that welcomes all? Can you share a story?
Prayer
Loving God, help me to be courageous like Nicodemus to ask you questions that I may understand more truly what it means for you to call me into your fulsome family here on earth. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Jenny Ellis
Jenny is a supernumerary Methodist minister. She facilitates a mindfulness community based at her local surgery and also online. She also leads quiet days and contemplative study days.