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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider About heavenly things

About heavenly things

Published Apr 17, 2023 04:03 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

In the perspective of the evangelist John, Nicodemus is a figure who little by little comes out of darkness — the realm of evil, untruth, and ignorance — into the light, none other than Jesus, the Light of the world (3:19; 8:12). In their conversation, Jesus reverses the relationship between teacher and disciple. By contrast, Nicodemus, who is a teacher of Israel, becomes a disciple who comes to Jesus who can speak about God with finality. Nicodemus has been attracted to Jesus because of the signs (miracles) he is doing, which reveal Jesus as an agent of God. But Nicodemus is told that if he believes in Jesus, he will know and see more amazing things, things not of this earth but of heaven. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, Nicodemus will come to realize that the “lifting up” of a bronze serpent in the desert (Nm 21:4-9) corresponds to Jesus being “lifted up on the cross” and his ascending back to the Father by his resurrection. Jesus has prophesied that when he is raised up, he would draw people unto himself (Jn 12:32). What began as Nicodemus’ initial faith has now fully come to light.

Gospel • John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And 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 have eternal life.” *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail:*[*[email protected]*](mailto:[email protected])*; Website:*[*http://www.stpauls.ph*](http://www.stpauls.ph)*.*

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