Reflection: John 3:14-21

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent – John 3:14-21

The main characters in this Sunday’s Gospel are Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus had heard many stories about Jesus and also about the message he was preaching. Nicodemus was determined to listen to Jesus preach. Jesus taught with an authority that Nicodemus had never experienced in his life. Also, there was a quality of strength and integrity in Jesus that other preachers and prophets had not had. Nicodemus was determined to hear Jesus preach and speak and hopefully, to also talk with him.

However, Nicodemus also was concerned about what his fellow members of the Sanhedrin might say about him, if they found out that he had been listening to and talking with Jesus. The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish council and it wielded an enormous amount of power. The Sanhedrin had many written as well as a good number of unwritten rules regarding the behavior of the members of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had no doubt that if he was seen talking with Jesus, most likely he would fall into disfavor with the Sanhedrin. However, Nicodemus decided to take this chance.

Nicodemus came up with a simple plan: he would go and see Jesus after darkness had fallen. When Nicodemus found Jesus, he approached him and said to him: “You are like no other teacher who has been sent from God.” Jesus then began to teach Nicodemus. He told Nicodemus and all who were listening that in the future he would be “lifted up.” He also told them that anyone who believed in him would gain eternal life!

If someone well known or famous came to you and told you that s/he would be “lifted up,” what would you think? Would you wonder if they were a bit off their rocker? Or would you take them seriously? However, Jesus had an authenticity and authority about him that the Pharisees simply did not have. Jesus did not just preach, his message came straight from his heart. Yes, his teaching was powerful but it also touched the people’s hearts. Many people experienced Jesus’ authenticity and they believed in Jesus and in his words.

Jesus was (and is) the “light” that came into this world! And even though darkness ruled and eventually killed him, His light still shines brightly! Do we experience Jesus’ “light” in our lives? Do we look for His presence, his message, his care, his love? We all have a “Nicodemus” within us who yearns to personally experience Jesus and his message. We long to be in his presence and experience his light and love!

Today and every day, Jesus is waiting for us to come, desiring that we listen to him and simply be with him! Today will we be like Nicodemus? Today, will we also seek Jesus out? Today may we open our eyes, hearts and minds to the reality of Jesus’ presence! He is with us! We just have to have open minds and hearts and notice his presence with us!