John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He 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.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The 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.”
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 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. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 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. 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.
Meeting Jesus by Night—-
This Gospel passage leads us to think about those who come to Jesus by night. In our time, we still have people who would come to Jesus in secret—some out of fear of others, some because they still hesitate to receive His call, some don't feel the need to be redeemed and saved, and some for other reasons.
Nicodemus represents those who believe but are afraid to proclaim their faith openly. He seems to admire Jesus’ signs that he saw or heard about.
As usual, Jesus goes further. He wants His guest to see the target of these signs, which is the Kingdom of God. But without being born anew, he will not be able to reach that aim.
Jesus leads the dialog with this famous guest, proposing the way that allows him to see this Kingdom. It is birth from above, from the Spirit and not from the flesh, as is the first, natural birth.
Photo taken by Fr Kamal at Jesus’ Baptismal Site on the Jordan River — Epiphany, 2020
This heavenly birth will be the last command that Jesus orders the apostles to accomplish. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19.
Baptism grants the baptized to see beyond the miracles and the signs, perceiving God's will to save everyone. “Indeed, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” John 3:17.
If we have received the Holy Spirit through our baptism, we are called to live the fruits of the Spirit. These are “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” Galatians 5:22-23.
Baptized, we are “called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love" Galatians 5:13.
May we take a few moments of reflection and meditation on our commitment to our Vows of Baptism and how we live the Fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians.
Happy are those who come to Jesus, who listen, share and practice His teaching as a Temple of the Holy Spirit, and witness to His Love!