In our first reading from the 2nd Book of Chronicles - the history of David’s royal lineage continues. The Hebrew Nation has been divided into two Kingdoms - the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. During this time Rulers and Prophets were sent by God to warn the people of Judah to turn from their evil ways and even though God becomes angry with them he doesn’t abandon them because his covenant won’t allow him too but because they didn’t repent, God allowed then to be captured by the people of Babylon who made them servants to the king of the Chaldeans. They would not free until the King of Persia came to power when the lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah to inspire the king of Persia to issue a proclamation that all the people the lord has given him may go to the temple and be with their God but they would have to leave everything behind to follow him
You and I like the Israelites in the Old Testament have to leave everything behind in order to return to God with all our heart and testify to our belief in his covenant a covenant that can never be broken as it has been fulfilled through the birth, death and resurrection of his only begotten Son. The price of our salvation has been paid for by the blood of the Lamb Now we come to the Gospel of John 3:16 one of the most powerful scripture passages that refers to God’s unconditional love for us
For God so loved he world that - he gave his only son - so that everyone
who - believes in Him - might not perish – but might - have eternal life
It is a passage not easily received by Nicodemus. As a renown pharisee and ruler of the Jews it’s difficult for him to witness to Jesus’ ministry. Though he claims to believe what Jesus is saying he is afraid to encounter Jesus in public, so he waits until nighttime to approach Him. Only then does he give credence to Jesus as he states: Rabbi, I know you are a teacher who comes from God for no one can do the signs you are doing unless God is with him. In answer to Nicodemus, Jesus tells him. Amen I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above Nicodemus asks: How can a person once grown be born again? Nicodemus is referring to being born of the flesh while Jesus is referring to being born of the Spirit. Jesus tells him that no one can enter the kingdom unless he is born of water and the spirit. Jesus is not only speaking about baptism but about one having a complete faith in Jesus Christ shown to others by the life they live. It is important for us - to think about - how we are living - our lives.
Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the dark because he is still living his life in the dark. He is afraid to come to Jesus in the light because that means he is a witness to a ministry he doesn’t understand himself, His faith in Jesus is questioned when he asks Jesus how anyone can being born again. Jesus responds to him rather sternly saying: You are a teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? We speak of what we know and testify to what we’ve seen but you do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthy things and you do not believe - how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? Jesus then tells Nicodemus Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert so must the Son of man be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him (may be healed) and have eternal life.
For those who may not recall after the Israelites were freed from Egypt they experienced much hardship in the desert and after being worn out by the long journey they complained to God and Moses asking: Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in this wilderness where there is no food or water then referring to the manna or bread like substance they had to gather in the early morning hours to eat they complained saying: we are discussed with this wretched food. So the lord sent among them Seraph serpents or poisonous snakes that bit them. Many of the Israelites died. Then the people went to Moses asking forgiveness pleading for him to take the serpents away. After Moses prayed on their behalf - the Lord told Moses to make a bronze Seraph and raise it up on a pole that whoever had been bitten looks upon it, would be healed.
Jesus makes reference to this passage by telling Nicodemus that just as Moses lifted the serpent in the dessert so the people may be healed So must the Son of Man be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will be healed and may have eternal life. The people during the time of Moses after sinning against God by complaining against him returned to him seeking forgiveness and after looking upon the seraph raised on a pole they were healed. Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the same is true for those who sinned against the Son of Man as they too will be healed when they look upon the one lifted upon the cross. Just as the people who returned to God in the old testament were saved so will those of us who have fallen away be saved when we return to the Christ. What a beautiful analogy Jesus makes as he applies the old testament to the New connecting the Son of Man to God in which titles Son of God and Son of man will soon become interchangeable.
Dr. Bergant, professor of biblical studies at Catholic U states that its precisely in his humiliation on the cross that Jesus was glorified. This thought calls to mind the suffering servant in Isaiah 52 - who prophesized - in the Old Testament - the coming redeemer will suffer for others - and after his affliction - be raised up and exalted This leads one to conclude that the Son of Man is also the Son of God. The author maintains that God “loved the world so deeply” that nothing is spared for its salvation not even God’s only Son. We know that: God first gave his son to us in the incarnation when he became man in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary and therefore takes on the title Son on Man Jesus throughout scripture refers to himself as Son of Man to remind us of the incarnation that he is indeed Son of God and Son of Man. God “loved the world so deeply” that he also gave of himself in his saving death. Therefore, Faith in the Son of God and in the Son of Man is the deciding factor as to whether or not - we will be saved.
Those who believe are saved while those who do not call down judgment upon them selves. We need to walk out of the darkness and into the light. Jesus didn’t come to make us nice people he came to make us a new creation. Even people who don’t believe can be nice people. You and I are called to become images of Christ. The sacraments help us take on that image. If we take to heart the words of St John that whoever believes in God’s only Son will have eternal life then we need to take to heart the sacraments the Church because it is through the sacraments that light enters the world. Sadly, some people prefer darkness to light, evident in the works they do that are not of God. Whoever lives the truth comes into the light. His works are clearly seen then he too will be lifted up and united with our lord on the cross
During the season of lent we need to remind ourselves of what becoming a new creation means, we need to strip ourselves of all wrongdoing and partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we can be made whole again. Then we can receive Jesus with contrite spirits and hearts made new I invite you, sometime today to reflect on John 3:16 so that come to realize just how much he loves us and that as true believers - we can come before God with our hearts wide open and with our eyes raise up to heaven and say I love you. Often make the time to bow before God and ask for his mercy and he will pour his blessings upon you. I also ask you to say often I love you, especially to one who was - so willing to give up - his son for us