John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John’s Gospel tightens the camera angle, closing in on a
few individual faces—a woman at a well, a blind man, a member of the Jewish
ruling council—to compose an intimate, in-depth portrait of Jesus’ impact on
others.
Consider this conversation with Nicodemus, who comes to
Jesus at night possibly in order to avoid detection. He risks his reputation
and safety by meeting with Jesus, whom his fellow Pharisees have sworn to kill.
But Nicodemus has some burning questions, the most important questions anyone
could ask: Who are you, Jesus? Have you really come from God? Jesus responds
with the image of a second birth, using words that have become some of the most
familiar in the Bible.
One of Jesus’ statements has probably been memorized more
than any other in the Bible. In a few words it tells the story of salvation: God’s
love for the world, God’s gift of his Son and the opportunity for anyone who
believes to be saved.
Evidently some of Jesus’ words to Nicodemus sink in, as
his later behavior indicates.
John follows this conversation with a report from John
the Baptist. People are questioning the radical prophet about the new teacher
across the river who is drawing all the crowds. In words that echo Jesus’ own,
John confirms that Jesus holds the keys to eternal life. Jesus is indeed the one
John has come to herald. A great prophet still in his prime, John nonetheless
bows to Jesus: “He must become greater; I must become less”.
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