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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Heavenly things

Heavenly things

Published Apr 8, 2024 04:02 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

In their conversation, Jesus is addressing not only Nicodemus, but also Judaism which Nicodemus represents. Contrast is made between Jesus and Nicodemus who is a teacher of Israel who teaches people the Torah (Law) which Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai. But Jesus is far superior than Moses; while Moses was a “servant” in the household of God, Jesus is “the Son.” Jesus actually comes from God and therefore can speak about God with finality. Scripture speaks of Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and Daniel as taken to heaven, physically or in vision. 

Jesus does not place himself at the same level with men who were given vision of the heavenly realities. As the Son of God, he knows the things of heaven; he has come down from heaven to reveal fully God’s design which was partially revealed in the past to Moses and the prophets. Nicodemus is 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.

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, 15so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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