The Gospel according to John (3:7-15)
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.”
Reflection:
Today’s Gospel made me think of the online series about the followers of Jesus, “The Chosen”. I have really come to be impressed at the perspective that one can find from watching this series. That’s not because it presents the familiar stories of the Gospels exactly as they occurred. No. It’s because it gives us a reasonable view of those who followed Jesus, and even the scenes that are Scriptural are presented in a way that (for me) contributes to my devotion to Jesus.
In “The Chosen”, the portrayal of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus highlights two things: first, Jesus’ love and mercy, even toward Nicodemus, who was one of the Pharisees, the group who had judged Him so harshly. And, the second is the plausible desire of Nicodemus to try to understand who Jesus was. Remember that Nicodemus had to have been affected greatly as the Gospel records that he returned to help prepare Jesus’ body for burial after His death. Nicodemus would not have done that if he were like all the other Pharisees.
The lesson for us in this Easter season is that Jesus has the same kindness and mercy for each one of us. He longs for each of us to come to know Him better, and to experience His love for each of us. He longs, too, that we share that love with others, especially those who may not feel lovable. It’s not easy to do, but it is our call as a follower of Jesus.
May we be open to that love, and may we take it wherever we go!
If you want to watch the scene with Jesus & Nicodemus in The Chosen, click this link to see it!
Action for the Day:
In a quiet moment today, ask God to put on your heart the desire to serve Him better, and to touch someone else’s life with an act of kindness.
If you would like to hear this reflection, click the link below!
