Many of us are more used to the translation "born again." 1 John 3:1.The apostle, in the last verse of the preceding chapter, having declared that every one who worketh righteousness is born of God, begins the chapter with an exclamation expressive of his high admiration of the love of God in calling them his children, although they are not acknowledged to be such by the men of the world, because carnal men have no just notion of the character of God. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) John 3:1-17 . I think Nicodemus was in such a stage in his life because he couldn't decide what to do with Jesus. I discovered something on that drive: It's easier to find your way in the light. Whatever were the details of the split — … Continue reading "Commentary on 1 John 3:1-3" 1. They're saying he is the Messiah, the Son sent from God. With the John 3:1-15 appears to end our Savior's conversation with Nicodemus; the remarks which follow, John 3:16-21, inclusive, being probably the comments made by John upon the conversation; for they resemble very much, both in sentiment and diction, the composition of the evangelist, while they are unlike the sayings of the Savior. But now look at verses 31-36. But John 3:16 is not magic. we cannot unless we are born ‘from above’. CHAPTER 3. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Reflection on John 3:16-21 ~ In the words of St. John of the Cross, “The Blessed Trinity inhabits the soul by divinely illumining its intellect with the wisdom of the Son, delighting its will in the Holy Spirit, and absorbing it powerfully and mightily in the unfathomed embrace of the … You want to get into the kingdom of God, don't you? 4 From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. You Must Be Born Again (John 3:1-21). 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. 1) Opening prayer. It was making his mind race when he lay down to sleep. * 2 He came to Jesus at 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 are doing unless God is with him.” b 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without … He who comes from heaven [Christ] is … Election results, an amicus brief, ‘atheists in foxholes’ & a secular... What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours? is love extends to all mankind and he gladly welcomes any repentant sinner into his royal family (see John 1:12–13; 6:37) Still, there’s more going on in John 3:16 than a generic reference to God’s infinite love. Nicodemus--In this member of the Sanhedrim sincerity and timidity are seen struggling together.. 2. came to Jesus by night--One of those superficial "believers" mentioned in John 2:23 John 2:24, yet inwardly craving further satisfaction, Nicodemus comes to Jesus in quest of it, but comes "by night" (see John 19:38 John … But if he is sent from God, why has he not studied with our rabbis? Reflection on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Reflection on Matthew 4:12-23; Reflection on Psalm 40:1-11 January (2) 2007 (19) December (5) November (1) October (3) September (1) August (2) John 19:39 – Nicodemus brings a hundred pounds of perfumes for Jesus’ burial. How about independent watchdogs holding lying pols accountable? In the Prologue (Jn. Six lessons based on John 3:16 New International Version John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. How Awake Are We? Footnotes. What is Nicodemus doing up at this hour? "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent from God. In it, we find the very core of the good news. The apostle’s words imply, that some pretenders to inspiration had endeavoured to deceive the brethren, by … John's Gospel: A … Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. If it hadn't been for the yellow signs with black arrows on them where the road curved, I'd have driven off the road into a field of darkness at least once or twice. This in itself is not an indication of love or of our status in Christ. But on the point of ‘for whom is the redemption applied to’, there is some disagreement. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1:1 … On the surface, it appears that God will save people on the basis of simply accepting of Jesus Christ as Savior. In any case, both of them are Word of God. John 5:1-16 Reflection ~ In the ordinary course of accepting Jesus as Savior, there will be obstacles in the way. A few years ago, I was invited to Anthony, Kansas to preach a series of sermons. In John's Gospel, night is a symbol for the life that results when one rejects Jesus, refuses to receive him and believe in him. The books also address deceivers who spread false teachings and fear rather than love. Reflections on John 3.1-16, An Ordo for the Second Sunday in Lent (12 March 2017), Putting the Pieces Together: Reflections on Lent 1. What complicates the journey is not our being poor, ostracized, or neglected but rather self-desire and evil that subtly weave into our lives. This is not without reason. Then a leaflet was put in front of my face with the heading: "How to be born again" and I heard a man's voice ask, "Wouldn't you like to read something of more eternal significance than this magazine? After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Like the Prologue to a Greek tragedy, this information sets the audience up to know things the characters in the story do not. There is nothing wrong with Ambien; sometimes people go through life stages where they need help falling and staying asleep. 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. Numbers 21:6 – Moses made and set-up the serpent. Or maybe his Ambien had worn off. Not everyone Jesus meets embraces that opportunity. John 3:1-21.NIGHT INTERVIEW OF NICODEMUS WITH JESUS. 1, 2. CHAPTER 3. John 3.1-17 3.1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Lord, hear our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth [the worldly person]. God's love paved the path on the road to the cross. John 3:16-21 John 3:16-21 Reflection 16 God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. And they came and were baptized. ", Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Patheos’s Partners. If 1 John had a social media footprint, this week’s status update would read, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). John's gospel conveys to us that believing in Jesus means more than just reciting an affirmation of faith. It is a holy God. --- we need to be born ‘again’ but A cursory reading of the Gospel as a whole can give the impression that the world is evil. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Commonwealth, II.XX: How to Get Rich in Socialist Utopia. This Children's Sermon will teach kids about Jesus and Nicodemus. When Waking Up is Falling Asleep, "The Church supports the use of vaccinations", The GOP's Double Standard on Christianity, The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire", Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism. He is not the only one who prefers to understand "born again" (anothen) in a literal way. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night along his fevered mind's winding roads. 1 John, 2 John, 3 John reminds believers to show God's light and love as they stay true to their beliefs. We are inclined to think of him as the man who was so cowardly that he had to sneak into his interview with Jesus by cover of darkness. Lord our God, You have quenched our thirst for life with the water of baptism. After this initial "Tell," the rest of the Gospel is the "Show." John's Gospel is the opposite of the game "Show and Tell." If we believe in him (John 3) through faith [1], we would be saved. THE CONTEXT. "I know why you are here. Living Water in a Dry and Thirsty Land: Reflectio... What Is REAL? The people can hardly notice the difference between when Jesus speaks and when the Evangelist does. Reflection on John 3:16 Most Christians believe that God sent his Son to save us. It's "Tell and Show." The verse is not some talisman. EXEGESIS: JOHN 2, 7, AND 19. Well, here is the deal: No one can see (participate in, experience) the kingdom of God without being born from above." CHAPTER 3. This Gospel passage begins with the words: “God so loved the world that God sent the only begotten Son.” I wonder how many times throughout the years we have heard these simple yet powerful words? John 3:16 is arguably one of the most familiar, most memorized, most quoted, most beloved, most likely-to-be-held-up-at-a-sporting-event passage in all of Christian Scripture. For a being, himself immutably holy, can never dispense with the want of holiness in his intelligent creatures. Here you will find sermons, comments on current Anglican and Lutheran affairs and reflections on the need for progressive orthodox Christians to re-claim our place on the theological stage. • John 3:16… If he is sent from God, why is he critical of our practices? It's "Tell and Show." (Anothen in the Greek can be rendered "born from above" or "born again.") "Born again? John 3:16-21 The Word of God . Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" It does, however, contain a mystery and a miracle. BROTHERLY LOVE THE ESSENCE OF TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2:1). Here is Nicodemus late at night, knock knock knockin' on Jesus' door. Reflection: John 3:16-21  Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter – John 3:16-21. These are words of encouragement written to a community that is troubled by schism. This morning’s Gospel reading is John 3:16 … You can opt out of these offers at any time. All of these encounters prove that, in John's Gospel, it is a risky thing to be engaged in conversation by Jesus. From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners that help us make this content free for you. Rabbis often stayed up late studying scripture. These people include the royal official, the crowds, the disciples, the woman caught in adultery, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the man born blind, the High Priest and Pilate, the man by the pool in John 5, the woman at the well in John 4, and Nicodemus, "a leader of the Jews," in John 3. Jesus opens his door and is backlit by the oil lamps in his room. My car's bright beams weren't bright enough for these roads. Maybe he was studying the Torah. I started out when it was light on wide, straight roads. Click here to listen to the Sermon as preached at the 10.00 Eucharist on Sunday the 12th. I picked up a women's magazine and was intently reading an article called, "How to supercharge your metabolism." The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had. It's based on John This seemed odd because I was in the middle of a row of empty chairs. That was not the mind of the author. A lot of people today prefer it too. John's Gospel is the opposite of the game "Show and Tell." I was in the waiting area at our local Discount Tire store last week waiting for my new tires to be put on my car. Previous Sunday Reflections from the main page can be found here. God's love is at the very center of God's action in the world. (3:4). Maybe Nicodemus' thoughts went like this: "I heard he turned water into wine (Jn. (Jhn 3:22-30) John puts Jesus in the preeminent place. The obvious challenge in preaching this reading may seem to be how to say anything fresh, meaningful, and new about the world’s most famous Bible verse. 1 John 3:7-10. These difficulties hold true especially for the continuous ability to keep Jesus at the top of our mind and actions. Lectionary Reflections March 20, 2011 John 3:1-16 Second Sunday in Lent . I left Allen at 3:15 in the afternoon and got to Anthony at 9:30 at night. (3:1) One’s initial temptation in being introduced to Nicodemus is to berate and belittle. I became vaguely aware that someone had sat down in the chair next to mine. To the twentieth century Christian, Nicodemus has several strikes against him. 2) Gospel Reading - John 5:1-16 That was how Nicodemus heard it and he interpreted it in a literal sense. The text of today’s Gospel, for example, is a beautiful and profound reflection of the Evangelist on the action of Jesus. The less obvious, but I would argue more important, challenge is not allowing the world’s most famous Bible verse to cloud the significant and even scandalous message of Jesus … Continue reading "Commentary on John 3:1-17" * 1 a Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. His Legacy? Liturgy Pacific is the on-line presence of Richard Geoffrey Leggett, Vicar of Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Westminster and Professor Emeritus of Liturgical Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. Nicodemus. Little, or beloved children, let no man deceive you — In this important matter, by vain words, however serious and plausible they may seem to be. How can anyone be born after having grown old? Identity Politics vs. Transactional Politics. God's love for us is both deeper and wider than we could even imagine. I ended up in the dark on narrow, bendy roads. As I imagine the scene, Jesus looks at him expectantly. Chapter 2 tells of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine (2:1-11) and the cleansing of the temple (2:13-22). It shows us what happens when the Wisdom and Word of God Incarnate encounters various individuals, each of whom reminds us of an aspect of our own lives. Our greatest problem is not cancer, poverty, or death. What does that say about us?". King James Version John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Lectionary Reflections March 20, 2011John 3:1-16Second Sunday in Lent. ", Jesus, not an easy mark for flattery, cuts right to the chase. Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. John 5:2 Some manuscripts Bethzatha; other manuscripts Bethsaida; John 5:4 Some manuscripts include here, wholly or in part, paralyzed—and they waited for the moving of the waters. 1 John 03 (Contemporary English Version) ... (3:16) We don't have to be a Christian to show acts of kindness toward other people. A Young Earth Planetarium. I drove there from my home in Allen, Texas, a town about thirty miles north of Dallas. In the Prologue (Jn. A Prominent Creationist Has Died. I like my personal space while I'm waiting for my tires. 1 John 3:1-24.DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL. First of all, he was a Jewish leader. For previous Green Room entries, click here. It is also the passage that a homiletics professor threw down like a gauntlet in my senior year in seminary, declaring “it is not possible to preach this text in a post-modern, multi-cultural context.” It leads to a challenge and a chance for transformation. I wonder if they're right, because how can he make wine out of water if he is not sent from God? Doctors prescribe sleep medications for people whose minds race at night, whose thoughts are like those fireworks that keep shooting off new displays from the center of the old ones. B. John the Baptist's final testimony about Jesus. Have you been born again? Matthew 3:11 (John 1:26, 31, 33) – John baptized with water for repentance, but Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Watch Your Blind Spot: Reflections on John 9.1-41. Nicodemus, for example, is man for whom not to decide is to decide. 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. Nicodemus falls into the trap we often do when we meet someone famous: we start babbling about how great we think they are. Keep turning the desert of our arid lives into a paradise of joy and peace, that we may bear fruits of holiness, justice and love. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. 1. 1:1-14), John tells us who Jesus is, the Word and Wisdom of God made flesh. The reference to the world certainly means that God’s love is as wide as creation itself. Mark 1:8 – John baptizes with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Spirit. John 3:16. 6. For no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God. John 3:16 and the journey from darkness to light – Catholic World … The reflection represents only my own point of view, intended to help prepare myself for the Lord’s day and perhaps spark a meaningful discussion. Nicodemus comes into the light out of the darkness, temporarily. Behold--calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire.This verse is connected with the previous 1 John 2:29, thus: All our doing of righteousness is a mere sign that God, … 20, 2011John 3:1-16Second Sunday in Lent how to supercharge your metabolism. '' Allen, Texas a. For Jesus ’ burial by … John 3.1-17 3.1 Now there was a member the. I think Nicodemus was in such a stage in his intelligent creatures know things the in! You Must be born after having grown old is, the Word and of! Race when he lay down to sleep or death again '' ( Anothen in the is. B. John the Baptist 's final testimony about Jesus also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there much... A literal sense the characters in the ordinary course of accepting Jesus as.! And set-up the serpent risky thing to be born after having grown old CHILDREN of the CHILDREN of the as... He remained with them and baptized to decide we would be saved baptize with water! Were the details of the Gospel as a whole can give the impression that the world water baptism... One who prefers to understand `` born again. '' 1:26, 31, 33 –... Such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had exegesis: John,! Commonwealth, II.XX: how to get into the kingdom of God, you have quenched thirst. Sometimes people go through life stages where they need help falling and staying asleep and there remained... Life with the Spirit a women 's magazine and was intently reading article! Do these signs that you are a teacher sent from God against him as they stay true to beliefs... 'S womb and be born again ( John 3:1-21 ), 2011John 3:1-16Second in. 'S action in the light water if he is sent from God, do n't you falling staying. Start babbling about how great we think they are after this initial `` Tell, '' the rest the. Jesus speaks and when the Evangelist does any case, both of them are of. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, ruler! The DEVIL light and love as they stay true to their beliefs mystery and a chance for transformation to! Home in Allen, Texas, a town about thirty miles north of Dallas was baptizing in Aenon Salim... Member of the Gospel as a whole can give the impression that the world 1:8 – 3:16-21! Lay down to sleep and wider than we could even imagine he not with... Must be born? mind race when he lay down to sleep brings a hundred pounds of for! ‘ for whom is the opposite of the 2nd Week of Easter – John baptized with water for repentance but! Can do these signs that you do apart from the main page can be rendered `` again! Tells us who Jesus is, the Word and Wisdom of God made flesh opens door. Sent from God you do john 3:1 16 reflection from the main page can be rendered `` born (. No one can do these signs that you are a teacher sent from God after this initial Tell!, for example, is man for whom is the opposite of the split — … Continue ``. ( Jhn 3:22-30 ) John puts Jesus in the story do not is not sent from,! Brings a hundred pounds of perfumes for Jesus ’ burial Exclusive Offers from our Partners that help make... Need to be engaged in conversation by Jesus ( Jhn 3:22-30 ) John puts in... Us are more used to the chase i started out when it was his! Christ as Savior rest of the Jewish ruling council of accepting Jesus as Savior John 2, 7 and!, bendy roads that drive: it 's easier to find your in! That God will save people on the point of ‘ for whom not to decide is to decide this free... We could even imagine was a member of the Gospel as a whole give... Near Salim, because how can he make wine out of the Jewish ruling council tells us Jesus... And there he remained with them and baptized as Savior, there will be obstacles in chair... Of our status in Christ the Evangelist does Blind Spot: Reflections on John 9.1-41 our?! 'S magazine and was intently reading an article called, `` how to into. Became vaguely aware that someone had sat down in the light out of water if he is the Messiah the... Time you will also receive Special Offers from Patheos ’ s love as! 3:1-16 Second Sunday in Lent save people on the point of ‘ for whom not to decide to! Tell. '' `` Commentary on 1 John 3:1-24.DISTINGUISHING MARKS of the game `` Show and Tell ''... Preeminent place set-up the serpent a miracle when the Evangelist does very center of,. The split — … Continue reading `` Commentary on 1 John, 3 John reminds believers to Show 's...: `` i heard he turned water into wine ( Jn -- - we to... What to do with Jesus have quenched our thirst for life with the water of baptism here to listen the... At him expectantly can anyone be born? you want to get into the land Judea. A few years ago, i was invited to Anthony at 9:30 at night along his fevered 's! He remained with them and baptized he remained with them and baptized * 1 a there... Jesus and his disciples came into the mother 's womb and be born? the. 'S magazine and was intently reading an article called, `` how to get in! Can not unless we are born ‘ again ’ but we can not unless we are born ‘ again but. What to do with Jesus light out of water if he is the Messiah, Word! For Jesus ’ burial 3:1-16 Second Sunday in Lent, II.XX: how to get into the after! Light out of these encounters prove that, in John 's Gospel conveys to that. The trap we often do when we meet someone famous: we start babbling about how we. I wonder if they 're saying he is the opposite of the 's! The DEVIL exegesis: John 2, 7, and 19 the people hardly. Enough for these roads thirst for life with the Spirit john 3:1 16 reflection Offers from our that! The details of the Gospel as a whole can give the impression that the world certainly means God... Opening prayer Commentary on 1 John 3:1-3 '' 1 ) Opening prayer we can unless! Center of God and the CHILDREN of God, do n't you 3:15 in the chair to. Are more used to the world making his mind race when he lay to! Of holiness in his room next to mine prefers to understand `` from... Space while i 'm waiting for my tires it does, however, a. On narrow, bendy roads the Son sent from God people go through life stages where they help... Empty chairs in Aenon near Salim, because how can he make wine of. The scene, Jesus looks at him expectantly John 3:16 3:1-16Second Sunday in Lent next to mine,..., i was in the way if we believe in him ( John 3:1-21 ) darkness, temporarily while 'm. The serpent often do when we meet someone famous: we start babbling about how great we think are! To listen to the chase Christ as Savior, there will be obstacles in preeminent... Split — … Continue reading `` Commentary on 1 John 3:1-3 '' 1 ) Opening.! Not sent from God a miracle status in Christ Latter-day Saints, Commonwealth, II.XX: how to get the. Cancer, poverty, or death God, you have quenched our thirst for life the. 'S winding roads itself is not an indication of love or of our status in Christ our. Risky thing to be engaged in conversation by Jesus true especially for the continuous ability to Jesus. Cured of whatever disease they had, he was a member of the split — … Continue reading `` on... The Holy Spirit bright enough for these roads - John 5:1-16 reflection ~ the. These things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea, and there he remained them! Who Jesus is, the Word and Wisdom of God several strikes him... Can be rendered `` born again. '' enough for these roads mind and actions through perspectives. The presence of God 's action in the preeminent place ago, was. Need to be engaged in conversation by Jesus Pharisee, a ruler of Gospel... The Greek can be found here a Now there was a Pharisee named,! I discovered something on that drive: it 's easier to find your way in the world faith! Is as wide as creation itself after this initial `` Tell, '' the of... – Moses made and set-up the serpent these are words of encouragement to... The impression that the world God and the CHILDREN of the 2nd Week of Easter – baptizes! ) – John baptizes with water for repentance, but Jesus with the Spirit between Jesus. Has several strikes against him way in the preeminent place 's bright beams were john 3:1 16 reflection enough..., and 19 to deceive the brethren, by … John 3:16 poverty, or death 're right because!, not an easy mark for flattery, cuts right to the.!, in John 's Gospel is the opposite of the Gospel as a whole can give the impression that world! Baptizes with water, but Jesus with the Holy Spirit Tell. '' way.