Continuing our reflections through the Gospel of John
11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man.14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
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.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
Jesus continues his conversation with Nicodemus here. Jesus speaks of using earthly language – and while even this is challenging to understand, it’s interesting how often we go straight to speaking to people of heavenly things assuming they’ll understand.
Jesus also refers to the bronze snake Moses made in the desert so that people could look towards to have life. An incredible amount can be said about this, but maybe i’ll leave it to you or unpack it later.
The famous John 3:16 is also found in this conversation. There’s much more going on but a few things to note here.
1. God loves the world. When we don’t, and say we worship God, there’s something inconsistent there.
2. Jesus was given so that we might have life.
3. Jesus did not come to condemn the world – and neither should we.
Some of my questions on the last two verses of the passage.
Why is it that people, all people, have a tendency to love darkness?
What does it say when someone, anyone, does good?
If all goodness comes from God, where do you see God?
