Sunday 17 February 2008

Background

God's mission to the world is grounded in God's own love for it.John makes it quite clear that the world is ruled by the power ofdarkness. Even so, it's the object of God's abiding love. God'swill is to save, rather than condemn.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. This may be because Nicodemuswas a Pharisee and so doesn't want to be seen talking with Jesus.But John's Gospel is packed with symbols and multiple-meanings.Nicodemus comes in the evening, but that isn't what John reallywants to get across. He wants rather to emphasize that for all hisworldly achievements, Nicodemus's life is darkened by ignorance andsin. He stands for us all.

The depth of God's love for us and all the world is seen in thecross, upon which Jesus was lifted up. When we respond in love tothat love, we find eternal life and salvation.

Behind the story is an important text from the Old Testament.Numbers21:4-9 tells how, on one occasion during their exodus fromEgypt to the Promised Land, a plague of serpents bit many people ofIsrael so that they died. Those who looked upon a bronze serpentthat was lifted up on a pole found healing and lived.

John picks up this idea later in his Gospel. In John 12:31-33,Jesus tells the crowd, which included both Jews and foreigners,that when he is lifted up from the earth on the cross, he will drawall people to himself. That act of healing and salvation will castout Satan as the world's ruler.

To Ponder

The New Testament Greek word for 'world' is'kosmos'. God's love for us is cosmic in its range and power. Wow!What response do you make to this statement?

Why do you think some Christians narrow God'slove to a small number of people?